So your car looks great. You have that killer paint job and detail it more often than you brush your teeth. Don’t let opening the hood ruin that effect!
Can you paint that old engine to make it look like the pros did it?
Yes, you can. Auto YouTuber Chris Fix shows us how in these simple to follow steps.
- Part Removal
- Preparation
- Paint
Part Removal
No matter the engine you want to paint, the only parts that you need to bother with are those that are visible and easy to remove. In the case of Chris’s example, the valve cover, heat shield, and fuel rail.
Quick tip: Be sure and take a picture of everything before you remove anything! Label spark plug wires so you can be sure you reinsert them in the proper place. This is will save you a lot of time and frustration once you’re finished with your awesome paint job.
Preparation
As with most projects, the preparation phase is the least sexy and the most essential for achieving the kind of results desired.
With engine parts, it is essential to get everything down to bare metal before painting. The better you clean this up, the better and longer-lasting your paint job is going to be.
Items needed for the prep phase include:
- Gloves (several pairs)
- Eye protection
- Respirator – a dusk mask only protects against dust, but a respirator is required to protect you from inhaling noxious fumes.
- Paint products “rattle cans” available at any paint store and many big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot.
- Wire brush
- 180 grit sandpaper
- A spray bottle filled with soapy water
- Degreaser
- Isopropyl alcohol (91% is best)
- Lint-free towels
Painting
The good news is this doesn’t require fancy shop-grade benches. Cardboard boxes work great as stands for your parts and paint supplies.
Quick Tip: Use a large plastic container to cover parts between each step of painting so dust or any other falling particles don’t adhere to wet or tacky paint.
Christ offers some great tips for applying your own logo to make your newly painted engine a one-of-a-kind showpiece.
Ensuring your paint job has the desires results, be sure to remember these four tips on how to spray:
- Start and stop spraying off the part you are painting.
- Overlap each pass by about 50%.
- Be sure and hold the can at the distance from the part as recommended on the can.
- Practice on something you can throw away until you find the right distance and speed that produces even coverage.
In each step of painting (primer, paint, tint coat, clear coat), be sure and spray at different angles so every surface is covered evenly.
While Chris does not cover particular brands, here are some of the best spray paints The Drive has picked for painting your engine.
Rust-Oleum Heat Protective Enamel – This is one of the best overall engine paints that are available in a “rattle can.” Rust-Oleum Heat Protective Enamel is heat resistant at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit ensuring both the restorative and protective qualities your paint job needs. Like its name, this is a paint known for its excellent anti-rust properties.
VHT – Originally designed for professional drag racers to reduce air resistance, VHT is sold in a number of colored formulations.
DUPLI-COLOR – A favorite among automotive fans, its formulations are simple to use and deliver long-lasting results.
As ChrisFix points out, the key is to not get in a hurry. Doing the prep work right helps ensure your paint job is up to standards the first time around.
Just What Your Engine Needs
Getting the most out of your engine isn’t just about mileage. And a new paint job isn’t just about great looks. It also means protection from rust and the damage it can cause. If you want to learn everything you need to know about your auto, check out its Vehicle History.
