ENGINE PREP AND PAINT (J. Myers - Vetteworks)

The key to a nice finish on your engine isn't necessarily the paint you decide to use.  It's the thourough preparation and cleaning which guarantees a 'primo' job.  Prior to assembly the block should be painted.  Acessories can be painted and attached with clean-unpainted hardware, giving it that professional appearance.  It's recommended that a good chemical cleaning of the engine, preferably in a machine shop hot tank, followed by a wax-and-grease remover. (Anti silicone).  A scrub brush should be used to clean the porous surface of the engine block and heads with the wax and grease remover.  Then mask off areas you don't want painted and spray on a good epoxy primer.  If you can get your hands on it, use a two part Epoxy Polyiamide mixed at a 50/50 ratio.  This can be baked or heated for a decreased dry time.  Another good epoxy is PPG's DP40.   Following the priming, it is recommended that you spray on a good urethane based color coat.  When using this system, always use a respirator.  In the case of urethanes, a fresh air system is highly recommended.  Below is the results of this routine.  After nearly 100 hours of running cycles this engine still remains as it was after the paint.  This was done with the Epoxy Polyiamide and a color coat of V.W. "Mars Red" polyurethane............J. Myers