anguilla1980
01-25-2021, 09:26 AM
With my all aluminum 535ci Pontiac engine finally coming in from the builder in the coming months, I need to start putting together some knowledge on how I'm going to paint this beast. My goal is a super durable long-lasting show car quality paint job that will hopefully endure up to 50K road/HPDE miles. It's going to be a specific OEM color to match the exterior of my car (don't want to say the paint code).
She is going to be all bare aluminum so I won't have to remove any existing paint or primer. The intake, valve covers, valley pan, and oil pan will all be removed leaving basically a long block with the aluminum Pontiac timing chain cover. I will be painting it at a friends who does have a proper spray gun/air compressor but doing it all on my own. I have some Green Frog edging tape which is fantastic for clean paint lines and regular blue painters tape for inside of that. The intake will be getting a black heat dispersant coating applied which will match my throttle body. The valve covers, valley pan, and oil pan are all black as well.
1) Metal clean and prep. I have the POR 15 2 part kit, but I'm not sure it's the best for aluminum? I have some Eastwood Aluminum prep in aerosol, is that good? What solvent should I use to wipe it all down with prior to using the final aluminum prep, denatured alcohol? Is a toothbrush or a soft wire brush best (what metal?)?
2) I want to fill the accessory holes at the front of the heads that will not be getting utilized by my serpentine belt system, what's the proper filler to use?
3) Primer. I was told to use a metal etching epoxy primer. Any suggestions on what brand?
4) Color. It was suggested to use a high-temp ceramic engine paint or a high temp 2K. I think since it will be a custom color (far as engine paints go), I'll need to use a 2K. Who online can mix me a high temp 2K in an OEM paint code?
5) Clear. It was recommended to use a high temp ceramic clear over a 2K. What are the best out there that won't tint the color or yellow with high temps and use?
What do you think on the coats; 1-2 of primer (bare minimum for coverage), 2 of color, and 2 of clear?
I really want to paint the heads but I'm also worried about the typical paint fade at the exhaust ports on Pontiac heads, especially the center 2. Should I just go bare aluminum for the sake of the paint not looking like crap here, or are there available modern products so I can go ahead and paint it which will handle the heat? Remember, this car will be getting used on road courses in very high heat conditions and my headers will be wrapped for underhood temp mitigation. - If I must leave my heads unpainted, then I have the issue of the exposed filler in the un-used accessory bolt holes.
I'm open to any and all suggestions from the experts here. I also need a recommendation on what sort of cleaner to use to keep it as clean as possible over the 50K I anticipate putting on it prior to engine refresh.
Thanks!!!
She is going to be all bare aluminum so I won't have to remove any existing paint or primer. The intake, valve covers, valley pan, and oil pan will all be removed leaving basically a long block with the aluminum Pontiac timing chain cover. I will be painting it at a friends who does have a proper spray gun/air compressor but doing it all on my own. I have some Green Frog edging tape which is fantastic for clean paint lines and regular blue painters tape for inside of that. The intake will be getting a black heat dispersant coating applied which will match my throttle body. The valve covers, valley pan, and oil pan are all black as well.
1) Metal clean and prep. I have the POR 15 2 part kit, but I'm not sure it's the best for aluminum? I have some Eastwood Aluminum prep in aerosol, is that good? What solvent should I use to wipe it all down with prior to using the final aluminum prep, denatured alcohol? Is a toothbrush or a soft wire brush best (what metal?)?
2) I want to fill the accessory holes at the front of the heads that will not be getting utilized by my serpentine belt system, what's the proper filler to use?
3) Primer. I was told to use a metal etching epoxy primer. Any suggestions on what brand?
4) Color. It was suggested to use a high-temp ceramic engine paint or a high temp 2K. I think since it will be a custom color (far as engine paints go), I'll need to use a 2K. Who online can mix me a high temp 2K in an OEM paint code?
5) Clear. It was recommended to use a high temp ceramic clear over a 2K. What are the best out there that won't tint the color or yellow with high temps and use?
What do you think on the coats; 1-2 of primer (bare minimum for coverage), 2 of color, and 2 of clear?
I really want to paint the heads but I'm also worried about the typical paint fade at the exhaust ports on Pontiac heads, especially the center 2. Should I just go bare aluminum for the sake of the paint not looking like crap here, or are there available modern products so I can go ahead and paint it which will handle the heat? Remember, this car will be getting used on road courses in very high heat conditions and my headers will be wrapped for underhood temp mitigation. - If I must leave my heads unpainted, then I have the issue of the exposed filler in the un-used accessory bolt holes.
I'm open to any and all suggestions from the experts here. I also need a recommendation on what sort of cleaner to use to keep it as clean as possible over the 50K I anticipate putting on it prior to engine refresh.
Thanks!!!