Engine prep/paint process..whats your process?

[rockfla]

Question for the DavidG - Kube level attention to detail guys that are here on the Fordbarn......What process do you go through to paint and detail your engines.......Spay gun or dare mention Spray cans, Do you sand your blocks??? Sand casting edges smooth?? Do you try and smooth pits??? Etc Etc.????

[19Fordy]

If you want to restore your engine to OEM let the surface remain as it is. Clean it really well removing old paint and then spray paint it with Bill Hirsch engine paint. Then let it cure. It is said that the porosity of cast iron allows it to dissipate heat faster. However, adding several layers of paint would seem to slow down rate of dissipation. I wonder what type of paint and how much paint was applied at the factory? In 1999 this engine block was painted by brush. Heads and air cleaner painted by spray gun.

[cas3]

I paint them just like the body. Clean it, epoxy prime it, and 2 part urethane on top.
That way it will stay on with a pressure wash, and gas or chemicals wont bother it.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

If you want to restore your engine to OEM let the surface remain as it is. Clean it really well removing old paint and then spray paint it with Bill Hirsch engine paint. Then let it cure. It is said that the porosity of cast iron allows it to dissipate heat faster. However, adding several layers of paint would seem to slow down rate of dissipation. I wonder what type of paint and how much paint was applied at the factory? In 1999 this engine block was painted by brush. Heads and air cleaner painted by spray gun.

[wga]

Obviously, clean with solvent, then hot water + detergent a few times. I do not like to use Simple Green, Purple Power type of cleaners, concerned they would
leave residue that is incompatible with the paint products. Acetone clean.
I've use PPG Visstar and their recommended primer with excellent results. Single stage, two coats. Used on the block, oil pan.
Also removed all the casting flash. Sharp edges get a radius.

[petehoovie]

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[Kube]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Question for the DavidG - Kube level attention to detail guys that are here on the Fordbarn......What process do you go through to paint and detail your engines.......Spay gun or dare mention Spray cans, Do you sand your blocks??? Sand casting edges smooth?? Do you try and smooth pits??? Etc Etc.????

Obviously, cleanliness is next to godliness, so get the block CLEAN.
The areas that will not receive paint, in other words, the milled surfaces, I tend to smooth out rather nicely. The cast areas I leave as they were cast. If there is a super rough edge, I would knock that down.

My first step was to coat the milled surfaces. Eastwood offered (not certain they still do) a heat resistant clear. It had proven to hold up well and allow the milled surfaces to appear "natural".
My second step was to paint the block (proper). I'd tape off the milled surfaces carefully prior to applying color.
I had better results applying the paint with a brush. Usually, one coat covered it well. When the paint was tacky to touch, I'd remove any masking and spray a heat resistant clear over the entire block, milled surfaces (again). That would "melt" any brush strokes; the end result being a very smooth finish.

[Model51]

I degrease the block with purple power, then use dilute phosphoric acid to convert any rust spots. Then I clean all of the external surfaces with xylene (sold as xylol at Home Depot) - twice. Once with a brush and then with a cloth. Then I lightly polish the mating surfaces (camshaft cover, valve cover, etc.). Then I use Hersch Ford Green (for a 1935 block) from a 1 quart can, applying with a 1/2" wide brush. No need to mask off any surfaces (wiping any errant paint with a rag). Then put on a second coat which is needed to ensure a good even coverage and good color. This works for me.
For cast iron heads, I clean by sandblasting, then slightly polish the gasket surfaces. Clean with xylene and use the same process of painting. Did the transmission case the same way.

[52flthed]

I just use normal clean and prep processes. Also bill hirsch enamel. However I prefer to brush it on from the can. It covers better than the spray cans. Brushing it is easier too and more satisfying.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 52flthed

I just use normal clean and prep processes. Also bill hirsch enamel. However I prefer to brush it on from the can. It covers better than the spray cans. Brushing it is easier too and more satisfying.

[38 coupe]

52flthed's pictures bring up an interesting point, pre-war Ford engines got the cast parts painted, then machined, then assembled. By 53 the engines were being assembled then painted. When was the change to the process made?

[52flthed]

I know my mentor and friend whose an expert in 51-52 trucks instructed me to paint everything like the head bolts in the engine paint.