Engine Painting
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
when I painted the blocks out of my '65 and my '78 I used the hi-temp engine enamel paints from Hirschman Automotive. BTW, these are really nice paints! They specifically recommend NOT using a primer on the iron block as they claim their paint sticks better to the bare metal. I followed their instructions and so far after two years it still looks great.
I did use a primer on the steel oil pan though.
if interested, here is a link showing the painting, including the primer on the steel oil pan.
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/78Vette/mcu/parts.html
scroll about 3/4 the way down the page to get to where the painting pictures are.
Also, my suggestion is that you use multiple LIGHT coats of paint rather than few heavier coats. The first two coats of paint on my '78 block were very, very light, barely above a dry dusting on the block. The third and forth coats were more of a medium coating and the final fifth coat went on slightly heavier but still not very heavy at all.
Multiple thing coats tend to hold up better than heavier coats. Follow your selected paint's instructions for drying times between coats.
I did use a primer on the steel oil pan though.
if interested, here is a link showing the painting, including the primer on the steel oil pan.
http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/78Vette/mcu/parts.html
scroll about 3/4 the way down the page to get to where the painting pictures are.
Also, my suggestion is that you use multiple LIGHT coats of paint rather than few heavier coats. The first two coats of paint on my '78 block were very, very light, barely above a dry dusting on the block. The third and forth coats were more of a medium coating and the final fifth coat went on slightly heavier but still not very heavy at all.
Multiple thing coats tend to hold up better than heavier coats. Follow your selected paint's instructions for drying times between coats.
Last edited by BarryK; Feb 7, 2008 at 08:59 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
when I painted the blocks out of my '65 and my '78 I used the hi-temp engine enamel paints from Hirschman Automotive. BTW, these are really nice paints! They specifically recommend NOT using a primer on the iron block as they claim their paint sticks better to the bare metal. I followed their instructions and so far after two years it still looks great.
I did use a primer on the steel oil pan though.
I did use a primer on the steel oil pan though.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I use PPG's DP-series epoxy primers on all my engines before applying topcoat. It has proven to hold up extremely well over years of operation.
