Engine Paint

[Traveler 45C]

MikeP, where can I get the enamel paint that you once recommended in a thread here? I’m gonna’ spray it on with my new air brush, also your recommendation…

Thanks.

 

[MikeP]

I used Interlux White. It's a single part enamel that seems to work very well. Our local marina store stocks it. Airbrush is just a basic Badger, available at any hobby shop.


Good Luck!

 

[Traveler 45C]

Thanks Mike!

 

[MikeP]

I should have mentioned several things - this paint is not fast dry paint. It will take a good 24 hours to dry to a tough finish. Also - it is not Hi-temp paint so it will discolor where the exhaust manifold flanges bolt to the engine. From the point where the water jacket encloses the manifold it will be unaffected. None of the other engine parts get hot enough to cause this- at least on our 8V71TIs. However, it is very tough and durable.

You could obtain some Hi temp exhaust paint in white and use it on the exhaust manifolds to avoid the possibility of discoloration. There are some highly advertised and expensive "Engine Enamels" that may be worth looking at. I have never used them so I can't comment.

In my car engine racing/building days, we just used regular old buck-99
K-mart engine paint in spray cans but all the painting was done during assembly so the imprecision of a spray can was of no consequence.

 

[Traveler 45C]

I’m not quite sure which of these to use:

http://www.boatus-store.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=20002&langId=-1&catalogId=20002&productId=3958

http://www.boatus-store.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=20002&langId=-1&catalogId=20002&productId=6390

Can you make a recommendation? Hi temp paint not required.

Will primer and thinner be needed?

 

[MikeP]

The premium yacht enamal is the one - you will need the thinner it specifies in the listing in order to thin it enough to spray with the airbrush. Start with 1/3 thinner and the rest paint and see how it sprays. It will vary depending on temp and pressure. I use an earlier (metal) version of this airbrush and it works well for this application:
http://www.dickblick.com/zz250/26/

20-25PSI is a good start point. If you want to spray a fairly large area, you would up the pressure to 30-35psi and widen the pattern.

Of course, you could use any paint you choose in the airbrush - thinned appropriately. Acrylic lacquer would dry in a few minutes.