Blackening my engine

[Annie's Boyfriend]

Hi there, I've desided that I will blacken out my engine.
I used to be a painter so that should not be a problem.
That job is the easy part, what I want to know is how to treat the engine.

Do I have to completely take it apart or can the engine just be stripped bare (carbs taken of etc) and then painted.

Yesterday I took a closer look and I think I can do it by brush even without taking my carbs off, but I think it is wiser to do it anyway.....

I'll keep yall posted

Bart

[Dougal]

I painted a GL1100 engine a few years back. It sure shows of any chrome bits fitted to the motor. I did mine when I had the engine out and painted it fully assembled.
The paint started come off after a few years, I think its difficult getting a suitable primer that will stick to aluminium. I use hammerite smooth. Not the best I know but it did look good for about 4 years.

Dougal

[Annie's Boyfriend]

I think its difficult getting a suitable primer that will stick to aluminium. I use hammerite smooth. Not the best I know but it did look good for about 4 years.

Dougal

I've worked for Sigma ( Dutch paint company ) for a few years, so I am able to get the right paint and primer for it, I'm sure.

Did you also paint the bolts etc. or did you remove them ??

With the right brushes I can reach just about every part of the engine.

In the future I wil want to replace my valve- and timingbeltcovers for chromed ones, so I also hope it will stick out too.

Bart

[banzaiwing]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't use a brush on your engine...............I think I'm gonna puke.

Take your carbs off.......it only takes 20 minutes if you've never done it.
Remove the airbox for easy access to the cables.

Scuff the engine with a green Scotchbrite pad and wash with Simple Green and LOTS of water............let dry/dry with compressed air and heat.

Tape off the frame etc. to isolate the engine. Using blue or green painters tape(you should know this) and newspaper(poor mans masking paper).

Spray with an epoxy based primer and paint.

If you've got a free Saturday you can remove your valve and cam belt covers......sand them down with 600 then 1000 grit and hand polish with Simichrome. If you've got a drill press you can chuck up a 6" buffing wheel and get a mirror shine.

If you take the carbs off you might as well polish the intakes too.

I think the motor would look sweet with black cases and the normal polishable goods.........polished.

My .02

Banzai !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Annie's Boyfriend]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't use a brush on your engine...............I think I'm gonna puke.

I've seen how a turkish man painted a car with a brush, he does it for a living in turkey so I was told.
I could not improve his work with a spraygun.
I was a professional painter, worked with sprayguns and brushes for many years.
I'm confident that the endresult will astonish you.
My only worry is the gaskets; should the engine be painted whole or the shells apart.

As it is leaking a drop of oil once every two days or so I think it will stop that also.

Bart

[Victorious1]

A paint that you can use for blacking out the engine is produced by Mercury Marine, it's called Quicksilver engine and outdrive finish. Available at most any Mercury Marine dealer parts department right on the shelf.

It is a really good quality aerosol paint that is used for heavy duty marine applications and the stuff really works great. Not too glossy and you can also get a spray can of zinc chromate primer by the same company to help paint adhere to bare aluminum.

I've used it many times and don't hesitate to recomend it because it's good stuff with a decent price tag.

Just remove the carbs, tape of the frame and bolt heads and all the chrome after you do a thourough cleaning job with engine shampoo and then rinse the engine off with hot water and blow dry it or let it sit overnight with a fan blowing on it.

Works great, looks great and touching up stonechips is very easy and cheap when using this paint.

Vic

[Victorious1]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't use a brush on your engine...............I think I'm gonna puke.

I've seen how a turkish man painted a car with a brush, he does it for a living in turkey so I was told.
I could not improve his work with a spraygun.
I was a professional painter, worked with sprayguns and brushes for many years.
I'm confident that the endresult will astonish you.
My only worry is the gaskets; should the engine be painted whole or the shells apart.

As it is leaking a drop of oil once every two days or so I think it will stop that also.

Bart

Paint the engine whole, but fix the leaks before you paint it.

Vic

[Annie's Boyfriend]

Seems like a good paint, but I don't think I can get hold of it here in Holland.
Thru my former employer I can get hold of some of the best industrial paints on the market.

As I used to work there I do not have to pay the normal price

The best degreaser I found so far is a Industrial handcleaner, used by painters here, it is called Fitfris and is made by Sigma.

It can be easily be rinsed of with water, and takes off everythingT he only thing it doesn't take of is dried paint.

Bart