Engine paint details

[katit]

Need to paint engine casings (motorcycle) after bead-blasting. Lot of different options out there but I figured folks at garage journal will know best.

It's an old KZ650. Factory did paint with something very thin and very tough. But what?

I would like to have silver/aluminum finish, just like stock.
If I can paint barrels (air cooled) - even better.

I can spray with a gun and prefer it if possible (vs rattle can)

What prep do I need? Straight after blasting? Primer?

Some paints require "baking" does it have to be baking or IR curing will do? I don't have oven.

Any input is desired. Last thing I want is ****** looking and peeling/easily chipping parts.

 

[old_smokey]

I don’t have a ton of motorcycle engine painting experience but have done one engine with particularly good results. It was an xt500, so also air cooled.

I soda blasted the engine cases after chemically stripping the old rough Yammy paint. I scrubbed the **** out of the cases maybe 3-5 times in scalding hot water with Dawn soap. This is what I think made my job a big success. It was CLEAN.

I used PJ1 satin black paint. It calls for no primer. It comes in a can but looks super close to stock satin black engine paint.

I pre warmed my cases in the shop oven to maybe 25-30C for a while. Then paint went on as per direction on the can, including a three stage heat curing in the oven. I actually did that a second time around to really give it some extended heat time.

I’ve put a few hundred km of bush bashing on it now and the only spot that shows wear is the magnesium clutch cover. I knew that would be a paint to paint, plus my MX boots are constantly bashing the cover. So I’m not surprised. The stock paint was gone there too for what it’s worth.


In summary, CLEAN way more than you think is reasonable, paint when it’s suitably warm, make sure it’s fully cured before assembling and using if possible. Oh and wear a mask. I had a bad mask in a small space and deeply regret that.










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[Copymutt]

Can’t find the brand now, but there is a new series of translucent color rattle can paints for aluminum/alloy/steal. Effect is a mirror like finish of polished aluminum but tinted. Think dyekem coat. Believe it was either Rustoleum or Krylon.