Engine Tins --- Primer Paint?

[Brockport Bill 1,668]

About to paint some engine tins for a KT17 -- bought the high temp paint ( see photo ) -- but have key question? Is there such a thing as high temp Primer for the tins I am suppose to apply first?????????  Is primer necessary, required, optional - or is just the regular high temp paint necessary? One coat, 2 coats?    Any knowledge people can share --- any experience? 

[ebinmaine 67,592]

There are high temp primers.  

 

I can't speak for twin engines yet but Kohler singles the tins don't need to be high temp paint.  

 

[Achto 27,601]

40 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

Is there such a thing as high temp Primer for the tins I am suppose to apply first?

 

High temp paint is not necessary on the tins but will not hurt anything either. I suggest using Rust-oleum self etching primer under the paint.

[Brockport Bill 1,668]

just found rustoleum engine primer -- up to 500 degrees...............do most of you also paint or prime the inside of the tins?

[Brockport Bill 1,668]

here's what i found based on what Ebinmaine said

[oliver2-44 9,759]

14 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

just found rustoleum engine primer -- up to 500 degrees...............do most of you also paint or prime the inside of the tins?

Yes I blast, prime and paint the inside of the engine tins. 

[ebinmaine 67,592]

We use regular temperature Rust-Oleum 2x Primer and regular temperature Rust-Oleum 2X paint on the sheet metal.  

On the block we use the high temp.   

[Brockport Bill 1,668]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

We use regular temperature Rust-Oleum 2x Primer and regular temperature Rust-Oleum 2X paint on the sheet metal.  

On the block we use the high temp.   

i dont plan to paint the engine -- just the tins -- so wanted to be sure whatever i used would hold up for a period of time - not peel and deteriorate - its interesting news to elarn regular 2x primer would withstand heat on tins -- i have been using that on regular parts of tractor  

[Brockport Bill 1,668]

just found that Duplicolor also makes an Engine Primer spray -- as well as something called "prep spray" which is apparently a cleaner degreaser for prior to primer use

[Cee245 818]

I can say I painted the engine tins on my 416 over 10 years ago with rustoleum self etching primer and regular black paint. It still looks good.  I didn't paint the insides because there was no rust or deep scratches.

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by Cee245
Pic

[JoeM 7,874]

Only place i use high temp stuff is mufflers.

Engine block, paint no primer.

Never paint the cooling fins just wire brush clean.

Tins, prime and paint with the regular paint.

[ebinmaine 67,592]

3 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Only place i use high temp stuff is mufflers.

Engine block, paint no primer.

Never paint the cooling fins just wire brush clean.

Tins, prime and paint with the regular paint.

 

 

 

Joe, do you find any discoloration of the paint right near the exhaust outlet on a working tractor?

 

[JoeM 7,874]

19 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Joe, do you find any discoloration of the paint right near the exhaust outlet on a working tractor

I ran the one in the pic some but not a lot. I will check that out today. 

 

[rmaynard 15,510]

Paint will always darken around the exhaust outlet. I haven't found one that doesn't, with the exception of black.

[ebinmaine 67,592]

20 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

Paint will always darken around the exhaust outlet. I haven't found one that doesn't, with the exception of black.

 

High heat paint included?

 

I think the only high heat paint I've used on the engine block is a white and it turns kind of pinkish or rosy color right around the exhaust outlet. 

[rmaynard 15,510]

8 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

High heat paint included?

 

Yes, that's my experience.

[kpinnc 12,083]

On 3/9/2022 at 7:02 AM, ebinmaine said:

Only place i use high temp stuff is mufflers.

Engine block, paint no primer.

Never paint the cooling fins just wire brush clean.

Tins, prime and paint with the regular paint.

 

I'm not sure why some do not paint the cooling fins. Cast iron will rust so deep that cracks can form due to the depth of pitting. Also, the engines were painted at the factory. None of my Kohlers have heat issues with the head painted with high temp paint. Paint provides a smooth surface as well so debris is less likely to stick on the fins.

 

I typically paint the cooling fins and muffler with gloss stove black. The rest of the engine can use regular paint with no problems. Even in NC heat, I've never had issues with overheating. You are far more likely to overheat due to running the engine at low RPMs than with painted fins.

 

I've also never experienced break through rust with high temp black paint, and I don't use primer on the fins. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by kpinnc

[rmaynard 15,510]

I have read that black engine paint transfers heat better than other colors.

My mother always told me that if I am not in the sun, black clothes are cooler because they transfer heat away from your body, but in the sun, white is cooler because it reflects the sun. I never successfully argued with my mother.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

15 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

black engine paint transfers heat better

 

I've heard the same thing.  When I researched it, it was due to something called something like "emmitance" .  I guess if black absorbs heat better, it must also give it up better.

 

Grosvater used to paint the steam radiators in the house black... never asked why, but I think I know now.

 

[kpinnc 12,083]

1 hour ago, rmaynard said:

never successfully argued with my mother.

 

Same here. It's a secret super power they have. All we can do is endure it. 

[Handy Don 12,235]

41 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

Same here. It's a secret super power they have. All we can do is endure it. 

Along with eyes in the backs of their heads. 

[WHX?? 48,828]

On 3/9/2022 at 5:58 AM, JoeM said:

Never paint the cooling fins just wire brush clean.

Thats what I was always told as well. Also never paint heads . Which before I was told that by @Achto I had painted two of them. this one got the black out treatment in high heat with the VHT flame proof on the head. No issues so far. 

Second pic was Ford engine red with just even regular no heat   gold on the the head. Hey I thought it would look cool.  Fingered I have issues just pop back off & re-blast and put back on raw.   Blackened around the exhaust but no other issues. The Ford red is really close to Regal. 

 

Oh and BTW @Brockport Bill I also do prime (self etch)  and paint the insides of tins. Regular Regal unless Dan has a can of Van Sickle open. No issues. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by WHX??

[WHX?? 48,828]

You and I would get along @Cee245 I painted a screen on a 416 like that once and really like the way it pops. Some day when I got nothin better to do the 520s are gonna get it too! 

[squonk 41,150]

4 hours ago, rmaynard said:

I have read that black engine paint transfers heat better than other colors.

My mother always told me that if I am not in the sun, black clothes are cooler because they transfer heat away from your body, but in the sun, white is cooler because it reflects the sun. I never successfully argued with my mother.

She was right on! 

 

A flat black rubber roof will get so hot in the summer you can burn yourself when working on say an AC unit. Whilst a whiteish roof will almost stay at ambient temps.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

you can burn yourself

 

I once melted the soles right off a pair of work boots!  AND burned the soles of my feet.