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Looking to detail my engine compartment. If I don't care about original but want the best looks and durability, which paint should I use, Eastwood or POR 15 Chev Orange?
Yep. Or VHT High Temp, or Eastwood Ceramic stuff. Or catalysed Acrylic Enamel. Or Acrylic Urethane. Or .... be sure it is "sterile" clean, leak free and don't use the $1.99 a can store brand stuff.... much of the engine will be covered with motor mounts, manifolds/headers and an air cleaner anyway. You will want to freshen it every so often if you drive it much... nothing I have tried stays new looking for long.
I didn't have a good experience with POR15. I did my diff, half shafts and cross member with it and all three are flaking.
On the engine I went with Rustoleum brush-on paint. They have 2 primers, one for rusty surfaces and one for clean metal. Since the block was tanked I used the clean metal primer. The paint went on great and there has been no flaking or discoloration. Years ago I also used the rustoleum on the steering column support and it has also held up perfectly.
I had great results with POR-15. It is very picky about the prep and you have to do all the steps as the directions state. So if your not willing to fully strip and paint I would stick to the rustoleum.