8/21/2019 Painting Motorcycle Engine Black
It can be a bit tricky to paint motorcycle exhaust pipes because of the high temperature they endure. Many times people see bubbles and chips on their paint job. The easiest way to avoid this is to get paint that can withstand high temperatures, such as paint used on grills. If you use other types of paint then they will warp and you will be painting your exhaust system frequently.
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I'm looking for the best high temp Silver or Aluminum color engine paint in a spray can. Is a brand that I see advertised often but I don't know if it is any better than the Duplicolor engine paints. Exhaust port areas are my biggest concern with the paint holding up. I'm looking for the best. Anyway, it's done a grand job on my engine. There is always VHT paint, but the finish is generally a bit shite IMHO.The case is in plasti-kote, the rest in black BBQ paint, which is also highly recommended. All I did for prep for the block was wire brush back to clean (not shiny tho) metal, and it went on a treat.
Make Your Exhaust Look Great
It is desirable to paint the exhaust because, even though it looks great when it is new, the exhaust will eventually corrode and rust which does not look good. The easiest way to do this is by actually removing the exhaust system though this is not necessary.
Cleaning
You will need to thoroughly clean the exhaust before painting it. This includes removing grease and dirt. A grease remover can also make this job easier. If necessary you can scrub the exhaust with a wire brush. When you use the paint thinner you should wear gloves. The thinner is used to wipe down the final surface to remove the small pieces of dust. You may need to cover areas of the bike with tape or newspaper so you only end up painting the exhaust. To help the paint adhere to the surface you want to scour it with sandpaper.
Painting
You specifically want paint that is heat resistant. The best places to look are at auto part stores or online. You can even find this paint in spray cans which makes the application that much easier. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area and wearing the proper protection when applying the paint. It is necessary to apply several coats and you want each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. You can use several types of paint, just like painting a car. Apply a base coat and then a clear coat. All paint coats should be high temperature paint. A great splurge is high-heat ceramic coating as this provides a great finish.
Curing
In order to cure the paint you want to warm up and cool down your exhaust. So start your motorcycle for 15 minutes, then turn it off and allow it to cool down. Turn the bike on again for 30 minutes. By doing this you are slowly warming up the exhaust which causes the paint to cure. It is best to use a heat wrap or header on the first six inches of the exhaust as the closer you are to the engine the easier the paint will peel. At a close distance it will be sure to peel and the wrapping is aesthetically more pleasing, too.
A Few Tips
You can make the job a lot easier if you are completely prepared beforehand. Have all of your materials on hand and make sure you have the appropriate protective equipment. It is best to actually have had some experience removing the exhaust though there are detailed descriptions available on how to do this. This does take some time because you will apply multiple coats that need to fully dry. Make sure you set aside enough time to start and finish it.
It may not be the easiest project, but it is worthwhile! Enjoy your newly painted exhaust pipes.
The keys to every successful paint project are surface preparation and coating application. In the case of an aluminum engine block, the process is complicated by the presence of oily grime and the unique surface properties of aluminum. Backyard mechanics typically perform cleaning and painting of an aluminum engine block during the larger process of rebuilding an engine.
Project PreparationStep 1
Remove and disassemble the vehicle's motor. As the engine block is disassembled, identify the individual parts that will be painted, and set them aside. Because of the labor-intensive nature of this process and the multiple steps involved, walk all the parts through this process simultaneously.
Step 2
Begin the cleaning procedure by having the bloc 'hot tanked' by a reputable engine rebuilding facility. Dip the entire engine block in a tank of hot petroleum solvents which will soften and remove existing dirt and grime. While different processes are available for cleaning aluminum motor parts, many of them, such as sand and soda blasting, will negatively affect the aluminum motor surfaces. For this reason, hot tank cleaning is the recommended method for cleaning aluminum heads and engine blocks.
Step 3
Examine the parts once they are clean and cool to determine if any residual petroleum film remains on the aluminum surface. This residue interferes with coating adhesion during the painting process. If this film exists, clean the parts a second time. If no film is present, skip the next two steps.
Step 4
Protect all smooth metal surfaces that will receive gaskets during reassembly by covering them with masking tape and cardboard. The gasket surfaces must be smooth, free of paint debris and undamaged when the engine is reassembled.
Bead blast any solvent residue from the engine block and related 'hot tanked' pieces. The glass bead blasting material will polish the soft aluminum surface and prepare it to receive new coatings.
Surface Preparation and PrimingStep 1
Re-apply new masking tape to all engine block surfaces which will receive gaskets during reassembly. Some of the tape may have been damaged during the bead blasting process. Apply masking tape over the openings to any internal areas. Paint should not be applied to gasket mating services or to the engine block's internal areas.
Step 2
Paint bare metal surfaces with a commercial spray gun and quick-drying, high-temperature primer designed for adhesion to aluminum. Prime the entire exterior area. Follow all manufacturer's safety guidelines.
Allow primer to dry thoroughly before applying topcoat paint.
Finish Paint CoatStep 1
Select high-temperature rated finish coatings which are matched to the primer. Every paint type is produced to provide superior performance for specific conditions. Select paint products which match manufacturer's recommendations and the operating condition of the engine.
Step 2
Apply at least two coats of finish coating. A more satisfactory result will be obtained by applying multiple light coats of finish paint rather than one heavy application. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Remove all masking tape and visually inspect all surfaces which were protected. Use paint solvent to remove any paint-over spray or coatings which were applied to gasket surfaces. Paint spray on gasket surfaces will cause the gaskets to fail during engine use.
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