How to paint firewall/engine compartment?

[jerry303]

How should I paint my engine compartment? It isn't running and I just got the new engine, and figured it would be easiest to paint and really clean up nice now. The problem is that it's kinda dirty, and in the garage. I would like to wash it off first but even then what should i do next? It has a combonation of blue paint, black undercoating, and greasyness. It's not too bad, so should I just paint over it or should I use some sort of primer to ensure that the paint sticks. I plan on doing black, probably. I already have a suction spray gun it's like astro something, seems okay.

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[k20]

well me cause its just such a pain, and figured may help soundproofin a bit, undercoated the firewall fully. Looks pretty good, hope i dont mar it up too much puttin in the new engine.

 

[jerry303]

Any ideas? I know you guys have painted your engine compratment before

 

[Shaggy]

FIrst step is to remove everything you can, all of the parts that bolt to the fireall, inner fneders and core support. Degrease it with engine cleaner or Dawn and a scrub brush, or any number of products out there. 409 will work or even lacquer thinner in a Sure-Shot, which is what I use. once it's degreased give it another good cleaning to get any residue off, then scuff it with a red 3m scuff pad. Mask off anything you don't want painted and then paint with whatever color you want. It's not hard, it's all about making sure that everything is real clean before you paint.