Engine Painting

[Gina Marie]

I would like to paint my engines in glossy white. I am told Imron is the paint if I want to brush it on. Any recommend's.

 

[MikeP]

I would personally NOT paint an engine with Imron or any other two-part paint. It's a waste of time and money, and effort unless it's an engine destined for a show display instead of a working engine. Use engine enamel.

Here are a few reasons for this recommendation:

Two part paints are highly toxic - they require respiratory equipment be used to avoid killing yourself. A toxic chemical mask will provide the proper protection from "normal" paints.

They require proper primer coats - more prep work and an additional expense

The overspray from two-parters is HARD to remove.

Any part being replaced will require you to go through the paint mixing and respiratory equipment thingie again to paint the part.

The paint costs a LOT more than engine enamel.

There is really just no good reason to use such paints for this purpose.

MikeP
(long-time Imron fan/user)

 

[34Hatt]

Plus you can NOT brush Imron.

 

[Walter P]

I agree about not choosing Imron for reasons stated... I plan to detail the engines on one of our boats and I'm not thrilled about using spray cans. What paint is recommended other than spray cans. I'll appreciate any advise... Thanks, Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

POR 15 makes an excellent engine paint, available in about forty colors. One of them is white. I've used their products several times and they are very tough. WEAR GLOVES- POR 15 DOES NOT COME OFF.

 

[MikeP]

As I mentioned in a previous post a week or two ago - I do most engine painting nowadays with an airbrush. It gives much better control than a spray can and your choice of paint color and quality is unlimited - whatever you choose to put in the bottle. At the "wide" setting you can lay on more paint than with a can and at the narrow setting you can paint right up to a contrasting color part with virtually no overspray. 90% less masking required as well!