Engine paint, Black Glossy-Flat-semi

[DELL82]

Not really a list subject but after looking in tech tips there was nothing I could find on painting an engine Black and I think glossy. However I am restoring an 1982 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk. The engine was Black from the factory but I am not sure weather it was semi gloss or glossy. Also not sure about weather it was powder coated. Anyone remember anything about that bike would be very helpful.
I have looked at VHT Black high temp(flat), Eastwood Black shinny Caliper paint(900 Degree) and Duplicolor(flat). any suggestions other than powder coating is solicited. I understand that HD has a good paint but again FLAT.
I will be bead blasting the engine in frame without carbs or headers. I am painting the headers Duplicolor Silver, comments?
Thanks for all the input you guys have on the subject, I am in your debt.

[trbig]

Just my preference... but shiney black always looks better than flat black on a bike. It seems like the flat black oxidizes faster. Here's the setup I'm going with this time..




As far as painting your headers, I found that it looks better than rusty, but it sure doesn't look as good as chrome. Even pitted up chrome that has some shine to it. I used VHT 1200 degree paint on mine, but it didn't last very long.



I was riding through rain a lot though and they salt the roads here when I was using these headers. It was only a 3 or 4 months until the rust started showing through even though I put on SEVERAL coats. I ended up buying a whole parts bike with a good set of headers on it cheaper than just the headers go for.

I know you don't want to hear it, but you may want to reconsider the powder coat route unless you enjoy taking off the exhaust to repaint fairly regularly?


Just my 2 cents... if it's even worth that.


Tod

[DiverRay]

For the engine I would use the caliper paint. I LIKE the gloss look on the engine. The exhaust cannot be painted. I've tried almost every type of "high heat" paint, and I STILL have rusty header pipes on daily ride. I believe the "JET HOT" coating WILL work, as it's ceramic, and NOT a powder coat paint.
Tod, the temp rating on powder coating is only about 350 F, so it works well on frames, but not too well on the engine.

[DELL82]

Thanks DriverRay and TRBIG for the responses. I like the caliper paint also for the engine but wanted to spray it instead of brush, I have a pressure pot spray gun. however the paint is very thick and I hoped that the spray would limit the heavy coating that you get with a brush. Has anyone sprayed Caliper paint?
DriverRay what is "jet hot" coating. The Duplicolor I've used in the past is pretty good given the tempering, curing, is done right. My XJ has that paint on the headers now for almost a year and no rust,yet. the Duplicolor is good for 1200 Degrees if tempered. I can do this bike and accumulator in the oven to 500 Degrees, that should do it.
TRBIG, how did you get the engine so shinny, don't mean the covers?
I was looking for someone that would loan me the clutch and shifter covers so I can polish mine and keep riding. Let me know if you are interested in doing that off your parts bike, I pay freight, of course with many thanks.

[DiverRay]

Check with the paint company about a thinner to use. That should allow you to spray the caliper paint. Here in California, we have to use poor quality rattle can paint because of the air pollution laws. I used three different types of paint, and they ALL failed.
Jet Hot has a web site, here http://www.jet-hot.com/ . You can get most of the information from these guys.

[trbig]

Ray,

You're right about the powder coat... I was thinking of that jet hot coating that you mentioned.

The engine block had just stock paint that I cleaned up. The cylinders, head, and valve cover were the same VHT silver paint that I painted the headers with. It stayed on a little better on the engine than the headers, but it still started flaking off at the car wash before too long. I tempered all the sprayed parts in my oven at home... what a STINK! Be prepared to open every window and door and possibly even leave! My kid followed me for @ 35 miles the first time I fired the bike up after putting it together. The smell gave HIM a headache in a closed car following way behind me.


Dell,

If you're serious about the covers, PM me. They are pretty sorry looking, but they would hold oil. All the bikes have the same shifter and clutch covers (Except for the kickstart shaft/plug). I could probably scare you up a set to BORROW.. lol.


Tod

[DiverRay]

If you are trying to paint the aluminum, you NEED to use a "self etching" primer. The green stuff used for aircraft is the best, and it can be had for a decent price. If you just put on the paint, it WILL come off, because the aluminum oxidizes before you can apply paint.

[trbig]

Do they make a self etching primer that withstands engine temps?


Tod

[DELL82]

I don't know about air craft as their aluminum is not in the heat zone. i bought NAPA self Etch primer I use on all parts not in the heat zone, about $8.50/can.
aircraft aluminum near the engines are chromate not painted, I thought.

I recall that Caliper paint did not require primer but suggested some pre-prep procedure, if not mistaken.
Dell82

[Dennyz]

Well, for what it is worth. I painted my engine with PJ1 engine paint back in the mid 90s (70K+ miles ago) and it is still on the engine. I used a satin, but I think they make a gloss. I powder coated the side cases gloss black a couple of years later. Both have held up nice.

I just recently powder coated the header with Eastwoods Hi-Temp powder coat. So far, I really like it. It is the only stuff that has stayed on in the rain and grime of NW highways. I did a ride to Vancouver B.C. and back in the pouring rain, last October. They still look good.

The only thing that I have not been able to keep painted is the fork shocks. They get sand blasted. My next go-around will be a gloss black with black or clear acrylic tape on the leading surfaces. That should do it.



(Should be a picture here)

[DELL82]

Dennyz they make a spray able rubberized coating they put on autos. May want to check that out instead of tape, it leaves a smooth transition on the cars that is hard to see.
Dell82

[Dennyz]

Dell82, thanks for the good tip.

[morticiaann]

Engine paint, Black Glossy-Flat-semi

I was working on my xs about 1 or 2 months ago and noticed my Jardine headers were going to be ruined by rust soon. I hated to paint over any shiny metal so I covered from the head to just past the collector. I bought VHT 1200 primer and orange top coat and both burned and stunk horribly. I got the bike back from the repairman yesterday, though. That pipe really smelled good [I didn't know how he was going to be able to stand it]. It smelled like a luxurious Japanese gift store. Obviously, the pipe is not too hot now. I put a coat of flat black VHT 1200 over the top of it and honestly feel the bike has never looked or smelled better.

[Korr]

I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to add in more options. I use the dupli-color 1500degree flat black ceramic paint on my headers. I will be using it on the engine too. I've used it on my xj920 and it looks great. You are supposed to cure it in the oven for a few hours, but i didn't. It will smoke a tiny bit and smell funny the first time or two that you ride it. After all the resin burns up it is supposed to become chemical resistant once it's been cured.

[danteinien]

Here's mine 1200' Ceramic Rattle Can from AutoZone



This is after about a month or two, needs a wash, you can see the dust on the motor