Best engine paint

Hi folks and greetings from Canuckistan......well, North Ontario to be more precise.....I recently picked up an XJ 650 seca that needs a lot of t.l.c......current project is a basic strip / repaint / de-rust and clean followede by valve check and then a carb strip / clean. The bike is an 82 650RJ. I last rode bikes in '82 ......an XS1100 ....so it's nice to be back...Question: What's the preferred choice for engine black paint? Last time I did this was on a 1953 Matchless G3....so it's been ....awhile...This site, by the way, is just great! A ton of info and links....

Dave

 

I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel (500° rating) primer followed by "Ford Semi-gloss Black". Ive only had one season on it so far but its seems to be holding up really well.

 

Len (xj4ever) carries the original color engine paint if you are wanting to restore to original.

If not, Duplicolor, Rustoleum, and if I remember correctly, brake caliper paint also carries a heat rating. Just can't remember what the heat rating is....

 

Thanks guys - gonna go with the Duplicolor - have used in the past on other projects.

Dave

 

I recommend Duplicolor over Rustoleum simply because Rustoleum is oil based and seems to take a very long time to cure. Any of their paints that have any gloss to it seem to stay sticky for a long time

 

Duplicolor:

 

I used vht caliper paint on a few motors now temp rating is 900 degrees. Here is what the last motor looks like this is satin black

 

The nozzles suck on rustoleum runs very easy also. I have never used duplicolor i have pj1 but for some reason caliper paint is very easy to get nice coats with takes a lot to get it to run

 

On another forum I was on there were a few guys throwing the engine covers in the oven to cure the paint. It seemed to come out very good, I just am not sure what paint, or temps they were using. I would like to get more info on this if anyone knows anything about it. It just seemed to come out so nice.

 

I always heat cycle my engine paint 2 or three times very quickly before I take a full ride.

Paint, start motor for no more than a minute, let cool a bit, repeat 3 times.
I dont know if it really helps, but my engine paint jobs usually end up lasting quite a while. (I rebuild car motors as well, same process)

 

The other trick to add adhesion qualities to any paint is to warm the engine, or part that you are going to paint. I've had really good results with warming parts in the oven before painting. If you can't warm the part/engine like I was faced with last Jan when I was restoring/rebuilding my bike, I warmed the paint first....not too hot though or the components will separate and "spit" on your paint job. I just warm the can under the faucet while gently shaking so it's evenly warmed, then shake really well before spraying.....just remember, warm not hot!!

jeff

 

I have the VHT 1500deg matt black for the 4-1 pipes and muffler. Did not find any satin black - and the satin looks very nice there, cutlass - as does the duplicolor, PT. I simply don't have enough time to pull the motor this year, so I might just refinish the cam cover and pipes. Thanks again all!