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Engine paint prep questions

Mikey von

Mikey von

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Getting ready to paint my new 6.2l. The heads and valve covers are on, but no intake or exhaust manifolds. All openings are currently duct taped. I plan on removing duct tape and masking all openings and gasket surfaces. What is the best way to mask these? Blue painters tape and paper?


I want to paint some of the "new to me" used parts such as water pump, accessory brackets, and exhaust manifolds (header paint). What is the best to clean these up to get ready for paint?

Any suggestions on paint schemes? My thoughts are block, heads, water pump in chevy orange. Turbo hat, accessory brackets, and valve covers black. Intake manifold, thermostat crossover, exhaust manifolds, and some turbo parts grey. The oil pan is Al and I was not planning on painting that.
 
Werent the chevy diesels made by Detroit, if so the alpine green(?) color is what I would paint the block. Hard to go wrong with Chevy orange though. I usually tape the openings off and then take the paint off where the gaskets go, just to make sure I get everything painted.
 
I thought about going detroit green, but I have always wanted a chevy orange, so chevy orange it is.
 
I just use plain old cheap masking tape and a SHARP (new) razor blade to trim. Wad it up and stick in any holes. Stacy David (my hero) on Gearz had a good little "how-to" awhile back. He went all out smoothing casting flash and such. Came out awsome. Maybe I can show off alittle grinding on aluminum?

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That trans case looks all nice and purdy but now the heat will be trapped in. Items are made from aluminum for a reason other than a weight savings. Aluminum dissipates heat but not when it's painted. :deal:
 
4X4HIGH said:
That trans case looks all nice and purdy but now the heat will be trapped in. Items are made from aluminum for a reason other than a weight savings. Aluminum dissipates heat but not when it's painted. :deal:
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Ehh...it's got a good cooler. But you make a good point.

Asked a well known professional trans builder and I quote: "The difference if any would be minimal and with the hot exhaust around who knows might be more. The case is tucked tight under the car little air flow and exhaust heat all around. If anything putting some insulation between the headers and trans would likely do more to keep things cool."
 
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What paint were you planing on using? I've had good luck so far with duplicolor's high temp stuff. No flaking after 15months+. Remember it's all in the prep work.;)
 
Kjunky5 said:
Ehh...it's got a good cooler. But you make a good point.

Asked a well known professional trans builder and I quote: "The difference if any would be minimal and with the hot exhaust around who knows might be more. The case is tucked tight under the car little air flow and exhaust heat all around. If anything putting some insulation between the headers and trans would likely do more to keep things cool."
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Does it make you wonder then why you won't find ANY aluminum trans from the factory painted?
 
Kjunky5 said:
What paint were you planing on using? I've had good luck so far with duplicolor's high temp stuff. No flaking after 15months+. Remember it's all in the prep work.;)
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I picked up a couple of cans at napa. The orange I believe is duplicolor high temp engine enamel. The gray is a different brand higher temp (1500 degrees) header paint.


The long block is fresh and I was planning on just giving it a quick wipe down and going at it.

Still looking for advice on how to prep used and dirty parts like the water pump and exhaust manifolds for paint.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Does it make you wonder then why you won't find ANY aluminum trans from the factory painted?
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Just my own non scientific opinion here but my trans temp went up about 10* when I painted mine.

If you want to gain power paint everything flat black. Whether it works or not its what all the guys I used to race with did.

Chevy orange is cool though thats the color I will paint my motor too

Also on the exhaust I have used a bunch of different types of paint the only ones that worked was when i sandblasted the manifold or header first
 
Header paint doesnt dry until baked. Almost a greasy paint. but what i di for my blocks is made a set of metal block off plates and old set of spark plugs. sand blasted the block then cleaned with prepsol and painted with high heat engine paint. lasted 8 years so far.
 
I used Brake parts cleaner on my reused accessories (to get the big gunk off). Then you have to wipe them down with acetone or rubbing alchohol, because brake parts cleaner does leave a slight residue. I did it to my Jeep motor back in 2000 and it still looks good today. I can't remember the brand of paint I used but it came from a Checker or Pep boy's out in Vegas and it was "high-temp" paint.
 
NO expert at anything here but I used some paint called, IIRC, VHF or VHC or something on my calipers and it was a high temp paint too. Itwent on really nice and fairly thick compared to just a regular rattle can paint. Fairly pricey but the finish on the calipers was great. Maybe the duplicolor has a similar finish too. Just thought I'd share.
 
Should I paint the freeze plugs or mask them off and leave them natural brass?

My block and heads will be orange, opinions on painting valve covers orange also, leave them black, or paint silver?
 
Mikey von said:
Should I paint the freeze plugs or mask them off and leave them natural brass?

My block and heads will be orange, opinions on painting valve covers orange also, leave them black, or paint silver?
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IMO mask off those kind of things. You can even smear grease on them then when done painting just wipe'em off. It's my opinion that painting everything on the engine makes it look cheap. But that's just me.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Does it make you wonder then why you won't find ANY aluminum trans from the factory painted?
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It probably has more to do with the fact that aluminum does not normally have corrosion problems in that application. Paint = $$$. If they can save 10 cents on a part, you can bet they will. I would agree that it may increase the operating temp a little, but it wouldn't stop me from painting a trans case. An unpainted engine block would run cooler too, until it gets insulated by a layer of rust. No factory painted aluminum engine blocks that I am aware of.

KJunky5, is that my old trans?
 
Is this a show truck or a trail truck?
 
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