Question about Engine Paint

[RWBeringer4x4]

Hey all,

I've got the old Chevy lump out of my 40 for a reseal - I figured I might freshen it up while it's out (will help me spot all the oil leaks I missed).

I've got a question about any of the various engine enamel rattle-cans out there (duplicolor, VHT, Seymour, etc). Virtually all of them recommend a "heat curing" phase that generally involves using the engine heat, and cycling the engine, to cure the paint "on the vehicle." That, or baking it at anywhere from 200-400 degrees for a while.

The issue is - my engine isn't in the truck, and won't be for quite a few months, and I don't think the will take kindly to me baking off paint in the oven we cook food in...

Has anyone had experience using these paints, but NOT heat-curing them within a reasonable window of when they're applied? ie: painting the engine now, then re-installing in 6-months or a year, without ever heating them at any point in between?

 

[SMG]

I'm using KBS High temp to paint my exhaust manifolds.

I'm planning on cooking them on the grill. LOL!

 

[Morse_FJ40]

I had goodluck with engine paint from eastwood.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I'm using KBS High temp to paint my exhaust manifolds.

I'm planning on cooking them on the grill. LOL!

This is my plan too, using Seymour Cast-Blast on the manifolds.

I had goodluck with engine paint from eastwood.

Looking at Eastwood's site - it actually doesn't mention baking it on...

I'm not really asking what's "good" in terms of engine paint - what I'm hoping to figure out is, if I don't go through the "heat cure" process within a few hours of painting the part, will the paint hold up, or will it not adhere properly?

Just wondering if anyone was in my position - ie: engine out of the truck, not able to "bake it" for a while, and if so - how it held up without this step.

 

[Morse_FJ40]

I painted it, then it sat for 2 years before I actually started the engine. No peeling.. looks great.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I painted it, then it sat for 2 years before I actually started the engine. No peeling.. looks great.

Are you talking about the "2K" aerosol? or the one that comes in a quart? Did you brush it on, or spray it on?

 

[Youpicktokim]

I've had many engines assembled/painted on engine stands..some sat awhile, some installed within a couple of days, they all held up well (degreasing/cleaning of painted surfaces is crucial).
I've used most, if not all of the brands listed..no noticeable difference between them.
Ideal conditions/curing of paint vs real world is not always practical.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I've had many engines assembled/painted on engine stands..some sat awhile, some installed within a couple of days, they all held up well (degreasing/cleaning of painted surfaces is crucial).
I've used most, if not all of the brands listed..no noticeable difference between them.
Ideal conditions/curing of paint vs real world is not always practical.

Good to know! I kind of figured this had to be the case...I don't know how many folks paint a block, assemble it, drop it into their car and fire it up within a couple of hours...

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

I used the VHT paint and it sat for at least a month before I ran it. Trick to not peeling is prep. Oil free and a good primer coat will help. Mine has held up well over the years.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I used the VHT paint and it sat for at least a month before I ran it. Trick to not peeling is prep. Oil free and a good primer coat will help. Mine has held up well over the years.

Yeah - per the picture above, I have a LOT of prep work to do, but as long as the paint will cure and hold up if I don't bake it immediately, I'm a happy camper!

 

[Michael B]

I have painted a multitude of engines over the years and never baked/heated any of them. The key as stated is prep work.