preparation for engine painting

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by james walker
What prep work is needed prior to engine painting? I have a motor with some rust on it that I'm needing to paint. Is it safe to sand blast a motor first? If not, whats recomended?

Hi James,

Don't even think of sand blasting an engine, it will get in to places where it could not be imagined. On all the engines I rebuild, I take the engine down to bare metal by using wire wheels on hand grinders, for in the corners, a small wire brush on a drill, also light use of a needle gun is useful if the paint is thick and hard. Wash down with a degreaser or thinners. Use a good quality red oxide primer, a couple of coats is best then whatever colour you wish.

But don't use a blaster

Richard