im wanting to paint my engine to match my truck (eventually). i want to paint the engine midnite blue, haven't found anything online or in books. wanting to properly paint it so it would match.

any help would be greatly appreciated. i can either do rattle can or use my paint gun.

im not sure if this would follow the same guidelines as one would use to paint sheetmetal???

 

Well, one thing in painting and engine you do not have to prime it. just get it cleaned to where all the grease/oil is gone from the surfaces. If you are doing a ground up rebuild it will be easier just doing the regular machine shop process of cleaning and magnafluxing then painting as your assemble. You can Paint with a gun also.

What paint companys have you looked at for colors n types of paint?

 

If you want the paint to adhere to bare metal it needs to be primed.

 

I have not been able to find an aerosol engine paint that last very long, perhaps 2-3 years tops. Finding high temp 'midnight blue' may be difficult. Perhaps auto paint shop can mix a batch of engine enamel. Not sure if 'caliper paint' would be an option, see it in a variety of colors and some have temp rating of 900 degrees or higher. Painted engine in my 65 over 3 years ago and so far holding up. I sealed all openings, washed the engine, I used the por 15 marine clean, then purchased pint can of por 15 'Ford blue' engine enamel and used spray gun, they do not have a temp rating but thought may as well give it a try. They offer a 'Ford corporate' blue that looks a little lighter. The colors are in their catalog but unfortunately unable to find pic's online. If should decide to consider, suggest order free catalog, online, or call. The catalog also has color chip of a 'cadillac dark blue' which looks darker than either of the Ford blues. It was a rebuilt engine, unpainted, did not prime, supposedly the por 15 paints do not require primer, but what do i know. Came across some 'high temp' primer in aerosol. Anyhow, had an urge to chime in and add my $.02. Not sure if any help, had posted pic's of engine in gallery.

dave

 

the local resto shop treats engines like body panels. clean, degrease, tack, etching primer, then just spray the same paint that goes on the exterior, surprisingly it holds up really well. Dan

 

I agree with DusterDan, that is exactly the way it is done. Paint your engine the same as you would paint the exterior panels.

 

Engine paint in cans is meant to be the prime and the top coat, I haven't seen dupicolor engine primer. Just like header paint no primers there.