Engine Painting

[Smithers]

I found another forum talking about engine paint and they all liked this Eastwood product.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-ceramic-engine-paint-qt-universal-gloss-blac.html

I'm just making a mental note here so I can remember to order some for my next engine soon.

[Larzfromarz]

I highly recommend Eastwood good supplier.

[Spokes]

I am about to paint my engine cases with the 2 part ceramic paint from Eastwood.
Pics soon.

[Spokes]

The CA95 engine cases were bead blasted and washed 4 times. The engine cases were painted under a bright light, 35lbs air pressure using a mini HPLV spray gun.

http://www.fourwheelforum.com/picture.php?albumid=73&pictureid=1000

Below is a before shot of one part
http://www.fourwheelforum.com/picture.php?albumid=73&pictureid=1001

After
http://www.fourwheelforum.com/picture.php?albumid=73&pictureid=1002

I am also saving the mufflers until a better pair is found. The mufflers were also bead blasted. They were patched with heavy application fiberglass resin with a JB Weld coating. The paint adhered well. The mufflers are a work in progress. They will get a final coat after feathering the patch. Then shiny silver header paint.
http://www.fourwheelforum.com/picture.php?albumid=73&pictureid=1003
The paint was thinned 1/3 with fast reducer. It applied very nice and one moderate coat is all I needed. I am very pleased.

I have painted an inner chain guard from a CA160 as a sacrificial part. After a week I will subject it to gasolene to check its durability.

[Larzfromarz]

IS that the Eastwood 51631 universal Aluminum ceramic engine paint?

[Spokes]

Yes, with the 4:1 Urathane Hardener. I'm very pleased with the ease of application and coverage. The color is close to the original Honda Silver. I decided to paint the wheel hubs, handlebar mount and horn so everything matches.

[Spokes]

My sacrificial painted part was put to the test today as to check the resistance of this 2 part engine paint to gas.

Spilled gas on the part and allowed to evaporate twice @75F. No damage to the paint.

The part was submerged in gas. 5 minutes. No damage.

The part was submerged in gas for 4 hours. The paint was damaged, but did not fall away from the metal.

Standard rattle can engine paint would be damaged within seconds. I am very impressed.

[Larzfromarz]

I am currently rebuilding a 160 engine for a friend and used the Eastwood paint for the case, cylinder, head, side covers and small parts. While Spokes has better technique than I do, I am very pleased with my results. I have used about 1/2 quart to paint essentially two engines.
As far as durability I wanted the characteristics tested for by Spokes. I prepped the usual way and let the parts heat up in the Fl afternoon sun prior to and post painting. I used a $14 Harbor Freight HVLP gun at about 45 psi, mixed per the instructions and some medium reducer added for my conditions. I sprayed a tack coat and then two "medium wet" coats. I'd estimate the parts were in excess if 125 deg F when I sprayed them.
Unfortunately on a last pass I got a bit of water in the line and the finish on one side cover fisheyed badly. The next day I decided to throw the cover into the bead blast cabinet and restrip it. 20 minutes later and with only the size of a silver dollar removed I decided the stuff was pretty tough. I reached for another side cover and stripped and painted it with a much nicer result. It took much less time that way.
Additionally I sprayed parts separately, prior to mock up and final assembly. The finish takes dirty fingers and cleans up with just a wipe and after final assembly no touch up was required. I prefer this technique over the assemble then paint method
Again I'm super impressed with this product and will be placing and order for more.