What paint to use for painting an auto case?

[turbovanman²]

I used engine paint before but it didn't cure due to the low temp and came off easily so what else can I use? Brake caliper paint maybe?

[roachjuice]

How are you prepping it? Are you using primer before you paint it? If it's just black use BBQ pit paint.

[turbovanman²]

No primer, don't prime my engines either.

I want it chrome, :eyebrows:

[83rampage]

I want it chrome, :eyebrows:

Just polish it. :D

Seriously though I'm not sure what would stick to aluminum without prep/primer. Hard to get it really clean since it's so porous.

[rx2mazda]

I used caliper paint and it worked and lasted really long. I purple powered it for prep and then sprayed on a few coats.

[Dohc Rocks]

Went to the local NAPA and bought aluminum colour engine paint.... works just fine.

[turbovanman²]

Thanks. Yeah, engine paint doesn't work, the case doesn't get hot enough to cure it, or it didn't in my case, :(

Carroll, ironically, customer came in and was painting his air cleaner with the stuff so I am going to try that, :thumb:

[RoadWarrior222]

There must be a coupla different kinds of high heat aluminum, I've had some that was cheap enough to use as general purpose paint, and I did, painted a bike frame etc, dried hard, then there's the stuff that is gooey unless baked, which some PO did to the valve cover on my Escort and it comes off every time I touch the damn thing.

[turbovanman²]

There must be a coupla different kinds of high heat aluminum, I've had some that was cheap enough to use as general purpose paint, and I did, painted a bike frame etc, dried hard, then there's the stuff that is gooey unless baked, which some PO did to the valve cover on my Escort and it comes off every time I touch the damn thing.

Must be, maybe I had a few bad batch's, it simply would not cure, and came off with brake cleaner or wiping down, :(

I used a red engine paint on my transfer gear and oil pan covers and it stuck.

[shackwrrr]

My trick when painting cast aluminum is to heat it with a propane torch until it stops sweating then paint. Its only like 150 degrees so it wont hurt anything but it removes the moisture and trace oils.

[bfarroo]

My trick when painting cast aluminum is to heat it with a propane torch until it stops sweating then paint. Its only like 150 degrees so it wont hurt anything but it removes the moisture and trace oils.

I'll do that on most parts I paint lately. you can see when the moisture comes out of it and then dries up.

[BadAssPerformance]

Why paint it? Aluminum looks cool plain :thumb:

[turbovanman²]

Why paint it? Aluminum looks cool plain :thumb:

Easier to keep clean, brightens up my engine bay, :thumb:

[BadAssPerformance]

Clear coat it then, LOL

[ajakeski]

I use cheap Dupli Color or Rustoleum engine enamel. Neither requires heat curing. Both hold up well.
The engine is painted with Eastwood's engine enamel.


40095

[turbovanman²]

Clear coat it then, LOL

It goes yellow, lol.

All good idea's, thanks guys, :nod:

[RoadWarrior222]

Paint it white, then stencil willow pattern design on it in blue... then you can say "Look, I have a china transmission" ...

Just wondering what kinds of epoxy paint you could get, that's super hard, might strengthen it slightly.

[moparman76_69]

Paint it white, then stencil willow pattern design on it in blue... then you can say "Look, I have a china transmission" ...

Just wondering what kinds of epoxy paint you could get, that's super hard, might strengthen it slightly.

Lul then he'd have a bunch of broken china.

[supercrackerbox]

I use cheap Dupli Color or Rustoleum engine enamel. Neither requires heat curing. Both hold up well.
The engine is painted with Eastwood's engine enamel.


40095

Good to know. On the Charger, I used engine paint, and like Simon said, it comes off with brake cleaner. For the GLHS transmission I used Rustoleum to see if it holds up any better.

[135sohc]

I would really like to know what the color/paint composition that most rebuilders use to make transmissions/transfercases look nice and pretty like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/45RFE-DODGE-4X4-REBUILT-TRANSMISION-CONVERTER-9161-/190690375217?hash=item2c66083631&item=190690375217&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

I have had ZERO luck w/rustoleum & duplicolor for anything engine/transmission. $h!t just wipes off when exposed to anything beyond simple green.

[RoadWarrior222]

Walmart concrete paint by the look of it :D

[Leopold]

The problem is not the finish but paint adhesion. As long as you have a surface that will take the primer, you're set.