Engine Bay Repainting

[71beast]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I can't find any posts about it, so I figured I would just ask. Since I'm trying to straighten everything up in my engine I've noticed how bad the firewall and cowl looks, so I figured I would just paint them. Now the easy thing to do would be to do it with the engine out, but that's not going to happen, I don't have time to pull her out, so I need some guidance on the best way to get to everything that's visible.

From what I've read on other forums I need to clean the engine/degrease, scuff the surface (if I can get to it), degrease again, cover the engine and car, cover parts I don't want painted in aluminum foil, then paint semi-gloss black.

Now here's my questions, what should I use to do the initial cleaning? I've read that steam cleaning or power washing is good and that its bad. Should I just hose everything down with water, spray some degreaser on everything, then scrub and was off? The engine is a gen 1 SBC, so I figure that whatever method using water I will need to cover the carb and distributor so water can't get in.

I figure I'll use a rattle can, and I'm between krylon rust tough, rustoleum, or Eastwood's underhood paint? Which would be better and more durable? Or is there a better option.



Thanks in advanced guys.

[minendrews68]

The Krylon Rust Tough is tough. I would drape a good plastic over the engine instead of aluminum foil because it will follow the contours a lot better without tearing. The aluminum is too easy to tear. But you are right, it would be a lot easier to take the engine out.

[71beast]

Thanks Carl. I was going to run to Eastwood this weekend if it was the stuff to use, as it's only like an hour and a half away form me. You just saved me the trip. I was going to use the aluminum foil around part on the firewall and wires since it's will conform nicely, and do exactly as you suggested of putting plastic or a sheet over the engine. I wish I could pull it and do it, but I can't get a hoist in time, plus I can't have her down for too long, which is why I'm stuck redoing it with the motor in.

What about a good degreasing solvent? Simple green, gunk, purple power? Also, what about an initial cleaning method before degreasing?

[astroracer]

Simple Green in a Power Washer will do an incredible job at getting the tough stuff off. Once you have most of the heavy stuff removed use the Simple Green, sprayed on with a sprayer and a coarse ScotchBrite pad to get the rest off. Once you have it clean wipe it down a couple of times with Prep-Sol or Pre-Kleeno to get rid of the Simple Green residue and any remaining grease and oil. If you use ScotchBrite to do all of this cleaning it will be prepped well enough for paint.
Mark

[minendrews68]

Another degreaser I use is plain white wall cleaner. very effective but be careful, most has some sort of lye in it so it can be rough on aluminum parts. I would use that and dawn dishwashing liquid. (its a heck of a degreaser). Rinse well and the scotch brite pad is a good tool too. Hopefully, there's not much buildup of grease or oil. Let us know how it turns out.

[71beast]

Awesome. Thanks again Carl, and thanks Mark. There isn't much grease in the engine bay believe it or not, mostly dirt, but I want to make sure everything is prepped right. The original semi gloss black has started to disappear and you can see the original red primer, so the goal is to make everything uniform again. Once the weather here in NJ warms up I can get to work, hopefully get it looking nice and finish in a weekend so I don't loose much driving time.