Painting Engines.

[Scott Pett]

After a quick search or two of the forum, I find there is little information regarding the painting of engines even though the painting of the boats themselves has been covered many times.

As I am about to embark on the completion of my second Cummins engine, any painting 'ints and tipses' would be gratefully received.

I am assuming that it will be easier to paint as I assemble rather than attempting to do so with the motor complete.

Cheers,
Scott

[Folly Reach]

What I would say is this. Whenever I see a marine engine spray painted including the hoses it makes me so annoyed.
Why would anyone do that?.
A little bit of time and preparation will make such a difference.

[Ben]

A well timed question!

I spent a few hours Saturday making a pair of stillages for mine, I'm going to bring them home over winter to paint them.

I plan to strip off the coolers, pumps and header tanks etc, paint the long blocks from sump to rocker, then re-assemble with painted bits. A few new hoses and clips to smarten them up.

I'll descale the tube stacks while I'm at it.

A good wire brush off, then some Rustins red oxide, then a couple of coats of engine paint.

What colour? The Cummins are often white, but, I have found it tends to make them look dreadful, so I will choose another colour that hides a bit of grime better, perhaps the Sabre blue.

[nicky]

My Cummins are white, with the alternators unpainted. Polished SS
pipes and blue silicone links curves and reducers. The mounts and the pumps are black. Most nuts and bolts are SS, but most are painted.
I did nt have proper spray facilities, I painted as much as I could
prior to fitting but fitting marks things so I had to touch up and mask later. Getting the engines to run on pallets led to paint damage
around injectors so had to touch up again. So its not bad, but not as good as a new engine, but at least the pipes etc etc are not painted.
I don t like any rust on marine engines therefore each winter I will attend. I find Bonda primer best for original and restoration work.
David.

[nickkieffer1]

You can get spray tins of Cummins engine paint on ebay what ever you use it must be heat resistant. lots of Chrome over pipes etc looks good to. Nick

[Scott Pett]

Many thanks All,

I shall start practicing my spray-can skills.

Cheers
Scott

[Scott Pett]

Many thanks All,

I shall start practicing my spray-can skills.

Cheers
Scott

[Scott Pett]

Many thanks All,

I shall start practicing my spray-can skills.

Cheers
Scott

[Ben]

Secret weapon for painting engines.

https://www.toolstation.com/kana-nook-c ... ush/p24161

Ideally, you want all the injection gear off and the marinisation off, then paint the long block and all the parts.

Keep the minimal amount of paint on the rockers covers, it then takes less work when you send them off to be gold plated.

[Phil62]

I personally wouldn't worry about the correct shade of white, I'd be more concerned about the quality (and cost) of paint.
Also make sure you really degrease them well (brake cleaner or similar) and use a high build good quality primer.

There are plenty of engine painting videos on youtube.

P

[Ben]

I personally wouldn't worry about the correct shade of white

Dead right. Engines painted white are never going to look good long term.

I have chosen a light blue colour like the Perkins Sabres.

[Ben]

This came up for discussion with a chum of mine last week. He used 3 rattle cans, mixed up in any colour of your choice, two pack, its 2 pack but still air drying, so it does not cure as soon as mixed in the tin. He's £12 for a rattle can and a single big block Chevrolet engine needed 3 cans. So £36 per engine.

I have a pair of 4 pots to paint, I think I'll try this.

Red. I think I have chosen red. Maybe.

[Paul Hooper]

Is that rusty Red? or should it be oil leak/belt dust Black?

I chose bright white so I can see all the horrors, probably a mistake.

[wsmempson]

I'm with Paul Hooper on this, a light colour is good so that you can see any developing problems... It's why the chassis' of 50's and 6o's racing cars were traditionally painted in rather fetching shades of duck egg colours, so that dirt would show up any developing cracks!

[tjsb]

I find the problem is the engines need to be removed, cleaned and de-rusted if you are to get anything like a decent finish. I have done a fair this year but there is only so much you can do while the engines are in place.