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Prepping the engine for paint... suggestions?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Gearhead61, Feb 24, 2011.

  1. Gearhead61

    Gearhead61 Member

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    I'm thinking about painting some or all of my engine, but currently it's got some pretty good oxidation and stuff on it. Does anyone have a recommendation for a product or technique to get the engine prepped for paint? I'm curious what the best way to clean all the fins are in particular. Also... will the paint affect the heat transfer/cooling ability of the fins? I don't want to paint the engine if it could cause overheating issues... I do live in Texas, after all!
     
    Gearhead61, Feb 24, 2011
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  2. dwcopple

    dwcopple Active Member

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    diet coke and tinfoil first, then acetone, then spray away my friend
     
    dwcopple, Feb 25, 2011
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  3. Gearhead61

    Gearhead61 Member

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    diet coke and tinfoil? Seriously? o_0

    Just pour it on and scrub with the foil or something?
     
    Gearhead61, Feb 25, 2011
    #3
  4. thecamelman79

    thecamelman79 Member

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    Simple green and scrub with a long bristle brush. (A Fox tail work great)
    rinse
    Dawn dish soap and scrub with a long bristle brush.

    Rinse thoughly scrubing with your brush and the water hose.

    wipe down with acetone

    Dry

    Paint
     
    thecamelman79, Feb 25, 2011
    #4
  5. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Before you Paint it, ...

    Explore the possibilities and results frpm having the Plant "Media Blasted"

    A good once-over with "Glass" or "Plastic" Beads will strip the Engine right down to its bare Bright Alloy.

    Then, switching-over to "Walnut Shell" will put a nice bright "Shine" on the Aluminum Alloy that is really quite nice and very good looking.
     
    RickCoMatic, Feb 25, 2011
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  6. jammer41

    jammer41 Member

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    How much of a motor can be painted while assembled? I am wanting to paint this year but if I gotta crack the whole plant I might just leave it.
     
    jammer41, Mar 5, 2011
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  7. Ravenz07

    Ravenz07 Member

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    Ya, you are gonna want to have the motor off to paint it. It can be done, yes, but there are a lot of places you can't get to.

    You can probably get good results though, if you can see it, you can paint it (most of the time)

    Just try to disassemble as much as possible before hand. If you take off your pipes, I imagine it would make things a lot easier.
     
    Ravenz07, Mar 5, 2011
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  8. e13design

    e13design Member

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    Perfect. I was looking for a way to do this. I'll be giving it a shot tomorrow. I also went out a bought a wire wheel for my drill, that should speed things up.
     
    e13design, Mar 26, 2011
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  9. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Be careful with the type of wire wheel you use. Wire as in steel wire is harder than aluminum and could chew up anything softer (aluminum) instead of just remove the paint.
     
    Maxim-X, Mar 27, 2011
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  10. e13design

    e13design Member

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    Well it worked well, except for the areas on the front of the engine. I think I need to find a wire brush probe.
     
    e13design, Mar 28, 2011
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  11. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    You need a Mandrel and some Flexible Sanding Discs.

    You also need to "Reinforce" the Disc and keep the Disc spinning on the Mandrel

    Items marked with >> you need to buy and add to the setup.

    The typical set-up looks like this:

    End Piece
    Washer
    >> Nylon Washer
    >> External Star Locking Washer
    Sanding Disc
    Sanding Disc
    >> External Star Locking Washer
    >> Nylon Washer
    Mandrel Base Washer
    Lock Nut
    Hex Nut
    Shaft fits into Drill

    Without >> Extras >> ... The Disc will start to "Freewheel" and pee-pee you off.

    http://www.rshughes.com/products/048011_30131.html
     
    RickCoMatic, Mar 28, 2011
    #11

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