Heat Curing and Engine Paint

[luke]

Hey there, new user, first post.

I have a 82 CB 750 Engine that I want to repaint.  I'm not looking to tear down the cylinder heads and block. Just want to paint it while assembled. I have done a few of the covers by baking them in my oven, looks great, and seems very durable. Question is, how can I cure the primer and paint  on the engine? Obviously too big to fit in any oven I have.

Is it enough to prime and paint then resemble and run the motor to cure the paint? I know that is what the label on the can says, but I wonder if some locations around the pan and clutch area wont reach the high temperatures required for a cure?

Also, does if matter if the primer and paint are heat cured as one?

I'm using  VHT engine - primer and paint.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Luke

[Dennis]

Welcome to the forum Luke.

I have painted several engines, and I have a very simple technique which I call the "rattle can rebuild," to make an engine look like new without breaking a seal.

Here is a picture of a bike I did a few years ago.



I will have to check my cupboards for the make, but I buy aluminum coloured paint at Chieftain Auto.  I clean up the NON shiny aluminum as much as I can, and then just spray the paint on.  I dries nice, and probably bakes on with time, but you don't need to put it in the oven.  I have pressure washed these engines later, and never had any paint come off.

The shiny aluminum bits are a lot more work. 

Peace & Paint, Dennis.

[fast1]

    I have found the best way to bake the paint is to first let it cure for about a week, just letting it dry is not enough. Now go for a short ride, just long enough so you can smell it baking. let it cool then do it again 2 or 3 times, now go for a leisurely-not hard highway ride say to Salmon Valley. Enjoy! CHEERS.

[luke]

Thanks for the advice. Im going to go ahead and prime this weekend. I'll bake the best I can. And I will set it aside for a week before final painting. I'm betting that will hold it on there until I can reassemble and run it for the final cure.


That Suzuki look deadly, as I rebuild this CB I'm thinking more and more about modifying it to the Cafe style.
-Luke

[Dennis]

This is only sort of related, but I thought since you had a photo up of your engine with rags in the intake, I'd post a question.

Does anyone know of a source for rubber bungs or something that could be stuffed into the intakes and exhaust openings that would stay in place while pressure washing? 



This engine is going to get the "rattle can rebuild" treatment, and I'd like to use a pressure washer to speed up the cleaning process.

Peace & grease remover, Dennis

[fj1200]

Check out the $$$$ store. They have a pretty good assortment. Both in toys and pets.

[Hans]

Also at Hobby Brews.  They may have a hole in them, but you can plug that with some silicone or hot glue.

[Dennis]

Check out the $$$$ store. They have a pretty good assortment. Both in toys and pets.

Really?  My daughter works at the Dollar Store (or Dollarama ... whatever the one at Spruceland is called).  I will check it out.

Peace & Paint, Dennis

[luke]

Painting went really well. I think the mat black was a good choice. Few missed areas that I will get next weekend but overall really smooth. I did the primer, then paint all in a one hour application, then tented the motor and gave it a mid-temp cure with a portable heater. We will see how durable it is during reassembly.