Can I paint aluminum??

[westie47]

After I pull my motor, degrease, pressure wash, etc, I’m planning to paint it the correct red with Herbs engine paint. Can I paint the aluminum intake and water pump or will it require any special prep/primer?

 

[PST]

For proper adhesion I would use a self etching primer prior to top coat. It can be had from your local parts store.

Thanks
James From
PST

 

[dvw]

Clean well. Do not use laquer thinner. It drys to quick. Use grease and wax remover. Then etch primer or epoxy primer is best. However spray can will work. The best is epoxy with single stage urethane car paint. I've found paint sticks better to aluminum than iron. Painted aluminum heads, intake, valve covers, 7 years ago done in urethane. 2nd motor 16 years ago.
Doug

 

[Sahara]

Primer is everything. Not every primer is the one for aluminum. I use this amazingly toxic stuff that you spray on. It is super thin, even thinner then water. A pale, transparent blue colour. Even dry it is tacky, kind of like the sticky side of masking tape. It remains flexible so that the surface can slightly expand and contract without cracking the paint. It’s made by Benjamin Moore. It’s industrial, not automotive product but works for me. If you spray it too thick it actually makes it easier to crack the paint because it is like a padding underneath. So thin is good.
There are other primers as well, but that’s the one I know. Automotive guys can suggest some different products.

 

[slimt]

You can use dp40 or 90 directly over top of aluminum . Just make sure your surfaces are really clean and do not leave the clean aluminum sit raw to long it will oxidize quickly. Then you start all over.

The proper way is to alumiprep , then alodine , then put a acid wash primer overtop. Each has there proper steps to apply.

 

[65-440]

You sure can ! That's an aluminum radiator too

 

[westie47]

Thanks for the advice, I have some self-etching primer. Should I glass bead the intake and water pump or just clean really well?

 

[6PKRTSE]

I have always liked DVW's close to stock appearing look also. I high pressure hot water tank cleaned (clam) all the parts first. Self etched primered my block, heads, intake, oil pan and water pump housing before painting Hemi orange with Plastikote. Then used their black wrinkle paint for the rocker covers. Mine is going on about 10 or 11 years old now. Touch them up at rebuild time.

 

[vintage chromoly]

Painted my Holley street dominator intake.
DPLF epoxy primer and PPG acrylic enamel.

 

[Darter6]

I painted my intakes with a ceramic silver. I believe it was Rust-olium or Dupli-color Fuel resistant. The small block intake,fuel pump, and waterpump all painted. Didn't do the alternator "yet".Boy you can see the difference.


3 years old now.

 

[BSB67]

40 years, never primed any engine parts. Rattle can paint.

 

[threewood]

Prime and paint. This 440 was done with SPI epoxy primer and single stage u-Tech in hemi orange. Aluminum water pump, heads and intake...

 

[coloradodave]

Did mine per DVW's instructions. Thanks, Doug. An old dog can be taught new tricks. This paint is HARD!

View attachment 905835

 

[QOTHL]

After I pull my motor, degrease, pressure wash, etc, I’m planning to paint it the correct red with Herbs engine paint. Can I paint the aluminum intake and water pump or will it require any special prep/primer?

View attachment 905647 View attachment 905646

Yes, you can paint aluminum...that's what airplane bodies are made of. I replaced an aluminum water pump on my Hemi 'Cuda and painted it. I didn't use any primer and everyone I talked to who knows paint said to make sure it's cleaned with wax and grease remover, make sure it's dry or the residue will screw up the paint and then shoot it with the engine paint, no primer. I like Herbs, great people but when I painted my 440 block I used a professional grade ceramic paint and used a gun to apply it - no one recommended using primer.

 

[Sahara]

Airplanes are primed.
But I would imagine that it depends on the final product that you are using. Some may require primer, some not.

 

[slimt]

Airplanes are primed.
But I would imagine that it depends on the final product that you are using. Some may require primer, some not.

I paint usually one Cessna or Supercub every couple of months.
They require alot of preprep prior to any etch , epoxies, primer if required prior to a refinish. I sometimes am contracted to do 737s and gather a crew together. Thats a different game all together. Electrostatic paint is a different process. its quite a process.