Engine Paint Options

[SeanFD]

I’ve decided to paint my engine, since everything else is being powder-coated.

I’ve searched for paint recommendations and the one that seems to be favoured is Simoniz VHT Silver and the Mfr Code for this is SIMVHT31C. However I cannot find it.

I have found:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-SIMONIZ-SILVER-VHT-PAINT-Brake-Drums-Calipers-exhaust-manifolds-500ML-VHT22D/264227677240?hash=item3d85326438:g:wUEAAOSwJrdcgDF1 - SIMVHT22D up to 800ºC

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-500ml-Simoniz-Vht-Very-High-Temperature-Silver-Spray-Paint/401496585540?hash=item5d7b0fb544:g:5mYAAMXQJ3xRfSBw - SIMVHT22C up to 1200ºC

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMONIZ-ALUMINIUM-ENGINE-ENAMEL-TOUGH-PROTECTION-PAINT-SPRAY-500ml/391967859719?epid=1623380237&hash=item5b431ae407:g:R5wAAOSwwZtaaF1p - SIMVHT31D up to 800ºC

Can anyone tell me which, if any, one of these is the same or closest match; or point me to the 31C version.

Thanks

[Nurse Julie]

It's SIMVHT31D that is available now which is the superceded number of SIMVHT31C which is not available.
SIMVHT31D is what we use on all Honda CB SOHC /4 Engines.

[Nurse Julie]

How is it with petrol spillages Julie?

It's absolutely fine with normal everyday spillages Ken as long as its oven cured. But, like any paint, it's not 100% petrol resistant, ie, if you soak something in a bucket of petrol that has been painted with it, the paint will eventually come off.

[AshimotoK0]

You could always build an oven like mine during lockdown.
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,21621.msg193415.html#msg193415

Also, at work, I still have our old NEFF built in oven from when I upgraded our kitchen at home...... which will go in the works skip once I go back.

[SeanFD]

It's SIMVHT31D that is available now which is the superceded number of SIMVHT31C which is not available.
SIMVHT31D is what we use on all Honda CB SOHC /4 Engines.

Thanks Julie.

I found some today at what I thought was a good price (£6.99). Then checking on EBay, I see there are two types of enamel Aluminium: one is simply aluminium while the other is aluminium silver.

I can’t check until tomorrow which one I actually got, but I think it is just plain aluminium. Is that the one you use?

Thanks to COVID, I’m living alone at present, so I can sneak parts past myself into the oven and can avoid the need for a special construction 

The guy who is doing my powder coating has offered to blast the cases. Is this the best way to go? After blasting, do I need to prime the cases before painting? I think I read not.

[Nurse Julie]

It's SIMVHT31D that is available now which is the superceded number of SIMVHT31C which is not available.
SIMVHT31D is what we use on all Honda CB SOHC /4 Engines.

Thanks Julie.

I found some today at what I thought was a good price (£6.99). Then checking on EBay, I see there are two types of enamel Aluminium: one is simply aluminium while the other is aluminium silver.

I can’t check until tomorrow which one I actually got, but I think it is just plain aluminium. Is that the one you use?

Thanks to COVID, I’m living alone at present, so I can sneak parts past myself into the oven and can avoid the need for a special construction 

The guy who is doing my powder coating has offered to blast the cases. Is this the best way to go? After blasting, do I need to prime the cases before painting? I think I read not.

The 31D is the colour you need and no need to pre prime the cases. Don't have the cases blasted with any type of media at all, it is impossible to remove the glass bead or sand or whatever they use, from the main oil galleries and smaller oil ways and it will wreck your bearing surfaces as a minimum and could render most of the internals of your engine useless.

[SeanFD]

Thanks again Julie.

So how do I prep the cases then. I don’t know if anyone does soda-blasting around here, if that would be a better option.

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks again Julie.

So how do I prep the cases then. I don’t know if anyone does soda-blasting around here, if that would be a better option.

You would be best off doing the manual method of DIY clean. Get yourself a large tub or a big heavy duty plastic box or even an old tin bath 😁😁😁. You wiil need scotch brite pads, bottle brushes, tooth brushes, scrubbing brushes etc etc and a big can of petrol and get scrubbing and picking, especially in between the fins. The bottle brushes will be needed for cleaning out the oil galleries etc. The finished outcome of the paint finish is all in the prep. If you can do all that and then try and find someone who has a powerful hot wash pressure washer to blast it off after (no caustic chemicals) , that would be good.

[SeanFD]

Thanks all.

So I washed it and then had it chemically dipped. I then put 3 coats of Simoniz Enamel on, left it overnight and finally bake it in the oven.

It looks pretty good! Here’s a before and after:
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and a few bigger pics
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May not be perfect, but pretty good for a first time I think - even if I say so myself! 

[Nurse Julie]

That's a great job you have done there.

[philward]

Thanks again Julie.

So how do I prep the cases then. I don’t know if anyone does soda-blasting around here, if that would be a better option.

You would be best off doing the manual method of DIY clean. Get yourself a large tub or a big heavy duty plastic box or even an old tin bath 😁😁😁. You wiil need scotch brite pads, bottle brushes, tooth brushes, scrubbing brushes etc etc and a big can of petrol and get scrubbing and picking, especially in between the fins. The bottle brushes will be needed for cleaning out the oil galleries etc. The finished outcome of the paint finish is all in the prep. If you can do all that and then try and find someone who has a powerful hot wash pressure washer to blast it off after (no caustic chemicals) , that would be good.

Thats my method too - hard work but allows you to do it yourself - always like to do a rebuild myself as opposed to sending parts everywhere

[SeanFD]

Thanks Julie.

Thats my method too - hard work but allows you to do it yourself - always like to do a rebuild myself as opposed to sending parts everywhere

I agree mostly Phil, but trust me, the dipping was in and out the same day - almost “while you wait” – and saved hours and hours of effort.