Painting the engine bay?????

[King Kong]

Hi gang,
I am pulling the dead straight six this week. While I am doing the engine swap I would like to freshen up the engine bay. Any recommendations on prep and in particular, the paint that I should use? Of course this will most likely be a rattle can application since I am not ready for a full paint job on the cruiser yet. Limited funds will require me to rebuild this in stages. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Paint type? I was thinking of just painting it black since I have not decided on an exterior color. Satin or gloss?

 

[BAJA FJ40]

I'm about to re-wire (New harness) my 67' and I'm contemplating painting the engine bay also. What did you end up doing in 2012? Did you find a paint that you liked? How did it hold up?

 

[Fast Eddy]

I'd go to one of two extremes. Either pull the tub and do it all at once with proper prep, such as media blasting, or leave it alone. I never like to see a rattle-canned engine bay on a rig. It's not going to last very well for more than a couple years.

Just my opinion.

 

[BAJA FJ40]

Eddy, thanks. Unfortunetly, I'm constrained to a limited area in my garage for said work, prep and storage. I'm currently re-organizing all my existing storage areas to provide some expansion for the upcoming projects. Aside from that, I'm still researching, readying tools, materials, parts, etc in preparation of my re-wire.

 

[vtgbeemer]

If you post a few pics of your engine bay and how you intend to paint it ( color and gun or rattle can), I think you will receive a lot of feedback.

 

[notaclue]

I agree with Eddy. In the spirit of "do as I say not as I (did)", I recommend that you have planned stages.I didn't. I painted one area which lead me to paint another ,etc and before I knew it, I painted the majority of the bay (engine in ) a satin black. My intent was to have a contrast with the gloss black which I used on the air cleaner and blower assemblies, radiator, horns etc. I didn't originally paint the center section of the firewall honestly because of the difficulty/work involved with the engine in. I used a Transtar product and was pleased with how it laid down. Unfortunately all of the black made the bay personally too dark. I then decided to paint the center section the body color that I was going to eventually go with on the "future" repaint. I used a Preval sprayer and was not happy with the texture although the color contrast was good. I'll be the first to admit the probs with the Preval were likely operator error. I just finished an entire repaint and went back to body color. In doing so I noticed the Preval areas pulled off with yellow tape so I had adhesion probs as well. My suggestion is to pull the fenders, aprons, bib, etc and paint body color with HVLP. Do it right while the engine is out-it will never be more convenient access. Good luck!

 

[BAJA FJ40]

@ - notaclue: I took a closer look at the mounting for the fenders, aprons, bib etc last night, investigating options and the condition of the hardware and I'm optomistic and can dismantle and properly coat them. I'll try to get a photo or two up tonight.

Thanks for your help and advice gentleman.