zulu
Junior Member
Posts: 50
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Post by zulu on May 27, 2004 16:08:17 GMT -5
I have an engine or two that I want to paint black. Can someone who has done this successfully (or just knows how to do it) give me a rough procedure for what I need to do in order to get the paint to stick to the aluminium?
I have heard the commerically produced "case paint" is the way to go. I know to avoid BBQ/Hi-Temp paint because it contains ceramic which will tend to keep the heat in. Otherwise I am unsure of what sort of prep needs to be done to convince the paint to stick to the aluminium...
Thanks in advance.
--Doug
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Post by mental on May 28, 2004 22:39:49 GMT -5
Hey Doug,
The biggest key to painting aluminum is making sure that it is super clean. The first step is to obviously clean all of the visible dirt and grease off. After you have it spotlessly clean, it would be wise to use an aluminum cleaner such as PPG's DX533 (or equivalent). This cleaner will remove the surface oxidation that aluminum forms. The next step would be to treat the aluminum with PPG's DX501 or DX503 (or equivalent). The only difference between the two is that the DX503 has a dye in it that leaves the surface of the aluminum kind of a very light orange/copper color where as the DX501, although copper colored, does not leave any color on the aluminum after it is rinsed off. In this case, since you will be painting the aluminum, it really doesn't matter which one is used. These treatments are not a coating, but rather acid etches that leave an ideal surface on the aluminum for maximum paint adheision.
Then paint away. If prepped properly, any paint that you choose should have good adheision to the aluminun.
Please note. I don't usually take things too seriuosly, but these chemicals are pretty potent. When you buy your products, please ask for the "P" sheets that will explain all of the correct handling and usage procedures. It would be tough to ride with your eyes burned out.
Mental
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Post by gdjohnson on May 28, 2004 23:48:39 GMT -5
I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Greg
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Post by woody84 on May 29, 2004 5:11:17 GMT -5
Zulu:
I just did the engine on my 84 Heritage and I used Sherwin-Williams, Dupli-Color engine enamel. It is a ceramic paint and dissapates the heat not contains the heat. Have noticed the engine runs a tad cooler. It looks great and have recieved many complements on how bike looks with engine and carbs painted. By the way the paint only cost $6.50 at Canadian Tire and only used about three quarters of a can.
Bob
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orygun
Full Member
Franklin Oregon
Posts: 148
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Post by orygun on Jun 1, 2004 17:04:35 GMT -5
When I painted the engine on my 82 Heritage Special winter before last I used regular gloss black engine enamel for the cases. For the barrel, head and rocker cover I used a high temperature baked on paint. I don't remember the brand but after looking around found it at an auto store. It required baking in a 300 deg oven for three hours to cure but over a year later it's still looking good. I used my kitchen oven for the cure and other than stinking the place up a little (opened the doors and let things ventilate while I cured it) it worked well. The key as stated earlier is get it clean, I had my parts steam cleaned.
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