Engine Painting

[MaxBell]

Hey all;

How clean do I have to get my engine to paint it? I want to paint the block black just for cleanliness sake, but it's dirty and oily and rusty.

I've cleaned all the oil off, but there is still some surface rust. I've been cleaning with sandpaper, but it's taking FOREVER.

Can I just paint it, or should it be bare metal?

[Jafxod]

Is it in the car?

[jaywood]

You shouldn't paint over rust....take a wire wheel to it!

[Dj Buttchug]

might wanna pull the motor out for a decent job?

[Teaguer]

Use roll-on bedliner and fughetaboutit!

[deutschman]

depends on how long you want the paint to stay on the motor...

[MaxBell]

Sorry, should have clarified. The engine is out of the car and mostly torn down. (just a block and head together, front cover is on too)

[Brezzi]

You shouldn't paint over rust....take a wire wheel to it!

winnar!

[lbreevesii]

thoroughly degrease, get rid of any rust, then use an engine enamel. I'm a fan of semi-gloss black. It only takes a couple of coats to make an engine look fresh.

[Pac1373]

yea, you have to get the rust scale off, wire wheel, chip it with a tool, use a needle gun, whatever but get it off or there isn't a lot of point.

[MaxBell]

It's so much woorrrkkk!! WAAAHHHH

[CHIF8008]

shut up and make the e30 happy

[AndrewBird]

If it is just surface rust, Rustoleum will be fine over it. It is made to be put over light rust. If it is flaking off at all, you will want to clean it up first.

One of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...der-95578.html

and one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...eel-91279.html

Will make the job MUCH easier and provide a nice clean surface.

[MaxBell]

YUSS I have that wire wheel and I just started using it. Pretty much ate all the rust. It's getting pretty shiny.