Underhood detailing

[gedmeyer]

I'm just about the pull the engine out of my 81 and I was curious on what kind of paint I should use on the frame once it's out. I see por 15 pop up a lot, but I'm not sure how well it will work if I don't sandblast the frame and so forth? Also, should I use the same paint on the engine brackets? I just had all of them bead blasted, so they'll need a nice coat of something too!

After the rebuild, I'm planning on painting the engine the orignal chevy blue and all of the accessory brackets a gloss black. The smog pump, alternator casing (fan part will be black), and intake manifold a gray or aluminum color. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not looking to make a statement by having a bold color scheme, but I want it to LOOK SHARP.

 

[corvetjerryd]

Hey gedmeyer,
I'm not sure exactly what 'look' you are going for here. Do want a fresh clean stock apperance or something more custom?
Heres a pic. of the way i did mine . A little stock and a little chrome. But doing it while the engine is out is the only way to do it right. You can do a lot with a little paint and polish.

 

[Yoda]

Tim,

Take a couple of minutes and check out Scott's 81 engine compartment at The Shark Tank aslo check out the engine options :eek

 

[gedmeyer]

the local auto store sells Duplicolor and Plasti-kote paints (hi-temp, etc). Would these be OK to use on the engine accessories?

As much as I'm concerned for everything looking good, I am also concerned about having a durable paint (resistance to scratches and so forth.)

 

[corvetjerryd]

Those are all good enough paints for underhood work.The best and toughest is the powdercoat type paint. You can buy Do it yourself kits for this from Eastwood company.
But as long as you CLEAN the parts real good and put on two or three even coats , the top shelf quality spray paint should be fine.Brackets and pulleys do real good if you can sandblast them clean. Clearcoat works good on parts you want to give that 'natural' look.
Engine paints are more oil and heat resistant than regular enamels .Polyurethanes are shinier. I've never had much luck with high temp paints on headers. The ceramic coating is the way to go there. Eastwood also makes special gray dressing for exhaust manifolds that works pretty good.Check them out......