Has anyone ever.......

[Big_Red_Ryder]

Has anyone ever painted the engine on their trikes? If so, what type of paint did you use?

My engine on my big red has taken this tarnished look to it that won't come clean. Someone mentioned using an engine type spray paint that is used on automobiles.

What do you guys think?

Oh and I periodically will repaint the racks and other metal components on my trike using a flat black outdoor spray paint. Does anyone use anything different that they think would be better?

Thanks for your input.

[patblkwell]

Hey guy, I just recently repainted my motor on my Bigred. It came out awesome. All I did was take the gas tank and fenders off, then taped everything else off around the motor and painted it with Duplicolor 500 deg. Silver Engine Paint. I think the exact paint color is Aluminum 1615. Anyways, it came out great. Looks like a brand new engine. Make sure that you clean it up and get as much of the dirt and crap out of the fins of the motor before you paint it. I used a dremel tool with a small round sanding pad to get between the fins. It took a while to prep the motor for paint, but it was well worth it..

[Big_Red_Ryder]

What a coincidence. I stopped at Wally World yesterday and picked up Aluminum Duplicolor 500 deg. I figured it would work out okay but thought I'd check with others first.

So, it doesn't burn off when your engine is running, eh? Did you paint your forks and differential as well? Was it the same color as what you painted the engine? How about the rims on your trike? Have you ever painted those? What color?

[straight pipe]

and to add to good clean up, SOS the engine to rough it up. if you have bare metal spots use a metal etch spraybomb first or another name is zink chromate. then paint it with a quality spray bomb. you don't have to hit it with a hight heat paint. when i restore cars i sometimes paint the engines with regular automotive when a color can't be bought in engine enamel sraybomb.the key to this is the etch primer. without it the paint will flake off more sooner that later.and when you prime the motor...do not over prime. one transparent coat is all it will need. it will look slightly green when you are done. keep the paint build up to a minimal. the problems will be paint cracking and peeling and also possible over heating. thick paint won't allow heat to escape the engine very quickly. real race cars don't paint their motors for that reason.

[Big_Red_Ryder]

Never heard of a "metal etch spraybomb" or a "zink chromate"....What are these? Where can I find them? Will Wally World carry this?

[straight pipe]

if you have a professional spaint supply store near by, they will make you one or have one on stock. ppg supply stores will have that under their specialty selection.if you don't know of a store drop by a body shop that you deal with. they will help you out and set you up with this stuff.metal etch actually bites in the metal and anchors any top coat that you will pit on top of it.and added to that it is zink rich to prevent corrosion....win ...win.

[83200e]

Search the forums.There was a pretty good thread awhile back about this.All I have to say is buy or borrow a sandblaster.

[straight pipe]

sand blasting works but is unnessasary. i went through extensive ppg training in december . we experimented painting aluminum using all sorts of methods. lightly scratching the surface and using etch primer resulted best. besides sand blasting a motor will create more serious problems problems. i only sandblast a motor wwhen i know i will be rebuilding.that crap get in all you seals, and does find it's way into the motor....sand bearing= not good. don't risk it.

[patblkwell]

After I painted my motor with about 4-5 coats, I let it sit for about a week letting the sun hit for a few hours during the day sometimes. I did not start the motor for at least a week so the paint could cure. So far so good, it's been about a month since I've done it and it still looks great.

[83200e]

sand blasting works but is unnessasary. i went through extensive ppg training in december . we experimented painting aluminum using all sorts of methods. lightly scratching the surface and using etch primer resulted best. besides sand blasting a motor will create more serious problems problems. i only sandblast a motor wwhen i know i will be rebuilding.that crap get in all you seals, and does find it's way into the motor....sand bearing= not good. don't risk it.
If you use it correctly, it will work great.You do have to take the time to seal off any openings,but other than that its easy.I've done my last 4 engines this way and never have had any problems.

[straight pipe]

rock on !! i just wanted to give the best opinion to my knowledge.sand blasting is quicker. if you go this route the etch primer is still a good idea.