Engine paint

[exvalvesetdabbler]

I don't know what people are using these days, when I painted my rocker cover,front sprocket cover and alternator housing I used Sperex VHT engine enamel. It was imported by a local motor factors form the states. I think it may have later been branded as Holts.

The trick is to get it cured before you get any oil or fuel on it.

You need to wait until mum/wife (delete at appropriate) is out, open all of the the windows  and shove it in the oven for about an hour at 80-100 deg.  Mine was done 20 years ago and it has lasted despite having a leaking carb gasket for the past 2 years. No primer - just a rub down with 400 wet'n'dry and washing up liquid.

Theres no need to lacquer over this stuff and in most cases lacquer will just yellow and spoil it.

Just to verify that I don't throw anything away ....

Regards
Dave.

[PatM]

Dave

Your comments make good reading- especially the bit about the over- although I doubt the engine would have fitted, but next time its out- Ill try.
When my carbs leaked shortly after re-commissioning mine- there was a pool of silver on the floor- depite the fact the engine had been run a few times and allowed to cool..

whatever next? carbs in the diswasher- a sort oof DIY ultra-sonic clean maybe..

[steven400/4]

in the usa they use sims silver wheel paint then heat it up looks real cool

[K2-K6]

Hmmmm nice old spray can there, somebody somewhere is probably restoring those!

Think the design spec of engine oil is 90 C so unlikely to get some of the outside cases to cure by running the motor I'd guess. Sounds like a pretty effective method of the oven if it's lasted for that long, thanks for the tip Dave. Spose you'd get more of the 400-4 bits into a domestic oven than bigger 750 bits.

On that angle we used to use something called "Vi-cote" that appeared to be like a spray on clear vinyl (that's the best way I can describe it) it was particularly good on ali casings that where mildly polished or brushed surface and seemed to give an impervious-to-weather coating, don't know if that's evolved into anything though.

[rigwit]

I always used sperex vht on the pipes i made for bikes, downpipes and cans, one thing i did learn well on, was that like you said -you have to cure it  b4 it will perform as it states, (first few pipes i made i used the exhust heat to cure and it crinckled) but once i realised how to do it  ive never had it  leach out by oil petrol etc, flake, off allow rust behind it. ive done barrels as well with it and never let me down was top notch stuff

[Spitfire]

Most of my CB750 engine went in the oven, just don't overcook it as it goes yellow !

Here's the paint, left to dry overnight and then baked, sure smells bad.


Cheers

Den

[steven400/4]

so how long did you leave in the oven

[Spitfire]

Can't remember now but I followed the instructions on the can (US Automotive VHT), apart from setting the oven for centigrade instead of Fahrenheit, hence how I know it goes yellow !

Cheers

Den

[steven400/4]

ok mate no problem

[K2-K6]

That picture of the head in oven cheered me up Den, so they will fit then as I've got two to do eventually.

Have visions of you oiking the sunday roast out of the way to get the bike painted!

[exvalvesetdabbler]

That oven looks a bit clean/new.  Even I'm not brave enough to risk getting caught putting bike bits in a new oven.

[Spitfire]

Well the "Boss" could not complain as I'd just spent an arm and a leg getting her dream kitchen fitted, plus to be fair she does support all my various hobbies.

Cheers

Den

[florence]

Why would one want to put enamel on the engine?  Someone tried put some on one of my old engines before I owned it; it just cracked and flaked and looked awful and ruined the case.  I don't know how to remove what's left.  Bare aluminium is much nicer, mine has a lovely polish mark on the clutch casing where my boot has rubbed it over the years.  The rest has a lovely matt oxide finish that has taken me years to culture.

[K2-K6]

As far as I'm aware the standard finish for all pre F2 750 SOHC was painted/enamelled cases, barrels, head, oil fiter castings with all outer castings, rocker, alternator, gear, clutch, sprocket being light polish/brushed and laquered ali. stops that furry look you get on raw clean ali castings.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

I don't ever remember the sump, barrels and head being painted on 400/4's.
When I stripped my rocker cover many years ago the original paint was more like a modern day metallic having a silver base coat topped off with lacquer.

I have a NOS head and rocker cover, the head is bare ali'  and the rocker cover is painted. I've never found an exact match for it in off the shelf spray cans it to date. The VHT SP127 engine enamel is the closest match that keeps its looks the longest.

Regards
Dave