engine painting??

[sweetpeet]

when Im painting my engine but im not sure if I need to primer paint on first before the enamel. do i?

 

[phall92139]

The most important thing about surface prep is getting every little stinkin' bit of grease and other contaminants off before spraying anything. If the OEM paint is still on the block you should be able to use a red Scotch Brite pad to scuff the surface then paint directly over it. If you done any grinding, smoothing or clean-up work it wouldn't hurt to shoot some primer first just to help seal the metal and get it ready for the finish coats.

 

[bciocco]

In my youth, I painted several engines and have never used primer. I used engine paint in a spray can. Generally painted the block, valve covers, timing cover, water pump, and intake manifold. I like to cover or remove the alternator, p/s pump, and a/c compressor and their associated brackets. I think they look better without pain on them. Exhaust manifolds do not hold paint, even heat paint doesn't last long and they will stink as they burn the paint off. The rest of the engine generally needs a touch up every year or so. I also painted the engine compartments flat black. You can usually move the wiring harnesses and hoses out of the way without removing anything (there were a lot fewer of them thirty years ago).