Painting Engine Parts

[604CruisinCroat]

I have a question regarding painting some engine parts.

Is it ok to use enamel spray paint and clear on the fuel rail and cam angle sensor cover (I want to paint the green to black)?

 

[Calan]

You should be fine if you use something like Duplicolor engine paint on parts that don't see a lot of handling, brake fluid, etc.. I've used the Duplicolor clear over Duplicolor engine paint on a few things and it has held up surprisingly well.

If you really want to do it right, hit up turbosax2 or snowborder714. They will powdercoat it for you at a fair price (about to send them a bunch of my parts as a matter of fact )

If you paint them, make sure they are very clean...especially aluminum parts. (I usually wipe the part down with brake caliper cleaner or paint thinner just before spraying). On anything that is smooth aluminum, it helps a LOT if you sand it first with some 220 grit sandpaper. Paint doesn't like to stick to aluminum, especially if it's smooth. The 220 will give the paint something to grab while still keeping a smooth finish.

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

you should be fine. I'd still recommend using hig temp paint to be safe. a good barbeque paint should work fine.

 

[jmakado]

I painted my valve cover with brake caliper paint. It has held up great. Much better than the high temp engine enamel I have used in the past.

 

[2gawdtsi]

i use engine enamel on everything and its worked out great for me so far.

 

[604CruisinCroat]

i use engine enamel on everything and its worked out great for me so far.

Well i'm talking about non-engine paint, just regular flat black enamel in a spray can with a clear over top. Will it melt off the fuel rail and cas or will I be ok?

 

[Calan]

Just spend the $5-$6 on paint that is actually made for engines, and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[knochgoon24]

Well i'm talking about non-engine paint, just regular flat black enamel in a spray can with a clear over top. Will it melt off the fuel rail and cas or will I be ok?

Yeah it will. I tried before I knew better. It bakes right off. I just repainted my valve cover (with high temp enamel) last weekend because I couldn't stand to look at the flaking paint any more.

EDIT: Couldn't find any photos of the flaking valve cover. (Wonder why...)
But here's what the fuel rail looks like, and it didn't get as hot. Nor did it have to deal with the air blowing off the fans. The front of the valve cover was bare.

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See how the paint on the fuel rail is all cracked. When you touch it, it flakes off. It was degreased and sanded before painting. It's just the paint that couldn't take the heat.

 

[snowborder714]

Just powdercoat and be done with it (I might be biased though ).

I would definitely use the engine paint. Just from touching the CAS I can tell it gets pretty hot. I haven't taken the temperature of it after a drive, but I'm pretty sure regular paint wouldn't last.