FungusMungus05

iTrader: (1)

Anybody know what is the best way to paint the engine bay? I will be removing the engine and all accesories for an engine swap and I'd like to take the time to repaint the whole engine bay black. It is black as of right now, but very dirty and has scratches everywhere. I'd like to repaint it with the same flat black look to it that it comes from the factory. I just don't know if having it painted with a gun will be as good as with spray paint? How much prep work? I just need to know if there is a lot of sanding, primer, etc. is involved.

VSGLS1

iTrader: (8)

You have to clean it good and scotch brite it for sure. If the scratches are bad, it can be more work than that.

FungusMungus05

iTrader: (1)

What about the actual paint I need to use?

mcmillion

iTrader: (5)

I would do black with a nice clearcoat. This way you could wax, and polish scratches out in the future.

FungusMungus05

iTrader: (1)

spray paint?

mcmillion

iTrader: (5)

I'd say with a gun

parbreak

iTrader: (17)

I used a small touch up gun with a 1.0 mm tip. Worked great and not a lot of overspray.

NufNuffZ28

iTrader: (13)

Wused spray paint and it came out fine.

Sorry but pics got washed out a little



Here is a before/after




Our technique was sand with 1000 grit on deep scratches(after filling holes etc with Bondo), scotch brite, tack rag, then paint with a spray can(bought from Advance). It was the highest quality stuff (about $5)
and what they use for touch up in engine compartments at the dealership(thats where we got our first can)

You will probably not have a problem finding a comparable black for your engine compartment.

With this setup touch-up is easy and we were able to do it ourselve in the small garage.

FungusMungus05

iTrader: (1)

Looks damn good, thanks. I will keep spray paint in consideration.

RollTideTA

If you are doing a flat or satin black... spray paint should be fine, the prep work is where all the work is at.

luckyou03

iTrader: (8)

I rattle canned my engine bay as well, using duplicolor primer and auto paint.

Before


Ruffing things up and smoothing out for primer


Painted

bgblockelcamino

iTrader: (9)

i would say use single stage paint out of spray gun. you can get great results out of spray cans but i am not sold on the durability. i use industrial urethanes on engine compartments. it is about next best thing to powder coat and very durable. the stuff that i have used is Urotec by PPG the stuff is nasty but does not come off and has a nice finish for an engine compartment.