Koreth
05-12-2009, 02:39 AM
So I pulled the common block I got back from the machine shop and have had sitting in storage covered in oil ever since up onto the engine stand. It's time to get started on getting the motor put together. I figured a good place to start would be to get the outside of the block painted, so that's one less surface I have to keep coated with oil to prevent rusting. There's some minor surface rust and some of the old engine paint still clinging to the block in places. When the block was hot-tanked not all of it was removed. I have some wire wheels and a power drill. I was thinking of using the wire wheels to get off all the old paint and patches of surface rust, maybe washing the whole outside down with probably degreaser, then finishing it off with some soapy water and wiping it dry. Does that sound like the proper way to clean the block for the paint? Is there perhaps another way I should be doing it, something else I should be doing in addition to the things above?
With regard to masking, how much, and how? should I mask the deck or the pan/mains area? I figure they're covered in oil like the rest of the block, so paint shouldn't be able to stick to the deck, mains or cylinders. However, I would absolutely hate to have to try to scrape paint from any of them, for fear of damaging the surfaces. I was also thinking of masking off the bolt holes and mating surfaces where brackets and other things connect to the block. Should I mask the front or the back? Neither of these surfaces look like they were originally painted. Would they be safe to paint in addition to the sides, or should I leave them as bare iron?
Next, the paint itself and it's application. I was planning on using DupliColor Engine Enamel, since that's what all the local auto parts/supplies chains seem to carry as far engine paint goes. Speaking with the guy at the auto parts store, he said I shouldn't need a primer (even though they sell it). Though reading online, I keep seeing articles and the like stating that primer, while not being necessary will ensure a good paint job. So, think I should pick up a rattlecan of primer in addition to a rattlecan of paint? How many of the 12oz rattlecans should I need? Now, I'm guessing trying to lay the paint on thick in a single coat would invite runs and look poor, so I assume several thinner coats would be a better idea. How many coats do you think I'll need?
Finally, what color? Duplicolor has the typical colors for the typical brands, including (but not limited to) Chysler Orange, Chrysler Hemi Orange, Chrysler Corporate Blue, Chrysler Industrial Red, as well as just straight up normal black like our engines came. I could redo the factory black and silver color scheme. Black would probably be the easiest to do a good paint job on, and would certainly be the easiest color to keep clean looking. I could paint the engine A Ford, or Chevy color, but I know that'd probably raise the hackles of a few purists. When I look at the Daytona in the driveway, and look at the chipping and peeling paint, I can see that car was painted with a silver with red highlights (side pinstripes along the sides, badging, on the lips of the holes on the front grill/bumper, etc.) I think it'd look rather cool to carry on that silver and red scheme under the hood as well. Maybe combine the black and silver and red and silver color schemes in a red silver and black color scheme? I don't want to get things too complicated.
With regard to masking, how much, and how? should I mask the deck or the pan/mains area? I figure they're covered in oil like the rest of the block, so paint shouldn't be able to stick to the deck, mains or cylinders. However, I would absolutely hate to have to try to scrape paint from any of them, for fear of damaging the surfaces. I was also thinking of masking off the bolt holes and mating surfaces where brackets and other things connect to the block. Should I mask the front or the back? Neither of these surfaces look like they were originally painted. Would they be safe to paint in addition to the sides, or should I leave them as bare iron?
Next, the paint itself and it's application. I was planning on using DupliColor Engine Enamel, since that's what all the local auto parts/supplies chains seem to carry as far engine paint goes. Speaking with the guy at the auto parts store, he said I shouldn't need a primer (even though they sell it). Though reading online, I keep seeing articles and the like stating that primer, while not being necessary will ensure a good paint job. So, think I should pick up a rattlecan of primer in addition to a rattlecan of paint? How many of the 12oz rattlecans should I need? Now, I'm guessing trying to lay the paint on thick in a single coat would invite runs and look poor, so I assume several thinner coats would be a better idea. How many coats do you think I'll need?
Finally, what color? Duplicolor has the typical colors for the typical brands, including (but not limited to) Chysler Orange, Chrysler Hemi Orange, Chrysler Corporate Blue, Chrysler Industrial Red, as well as just straight up normal black like our engines came. I could redo the factory black and silver color scheme. Black would probably be the easiest to do a good paint job on, and would certainly be the easiest color to keep clean looking. I could paint the engine A Ford, or Chevy color, but I know that'd probably raise the hackles of a few purists. When I look at the Daytona in the driveway, and look at the chipping and peeling paint, I can see that car was painted with a silver with red highlights (side pinstripes along the sides, badging, on the lips of the holes on the front grill/bumper, etc.) I think it'd look rather cool to carry on that silver and red scheme under the hood as well. Maybe combine the black and silver and red and silver color schemes in a red silver and black color scheme? I don't want to get things too complicated.