Alloy Engine Block Paint?

[m4tti]

As the title really. Any one have any specific brand recommendations? Particularly interested in recommendations from those who have used a specific brand of paint and it is still looking good 12 months down the line.

My main area of concern is under the exhaust manifold which runs down the side of the block, which will be radiating a significant amount of heat.

[TheRealFingers99]

Not 100% sure I'd paint an aluminium alloy block: a magnesium one, sure. On aluminium (after all, cast iron is an alloy) the primer is probably as important as the top coat. Need an acid etch primer which should then take any old relatively high temperature paint.

[m4tti]

Yep was going to prime in Upol Acid Etch. But am curious as to what results people have had using different "top coat" products.

For example this http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/paint/si...

Says its solvent resistant and doesn't even need priming, but how good is it.

[ch427]

POR 15 engine enamel is a very good product but not sure on the surfaces it can be used on. It stayed as good as new over 10 years on a ford 302 engine and that got hot!

[m4tti]

According to web folklore simoniz five wheel silver is better than engine paint, so I'll try a can of that on piece of it.

[CrutyRammers]

I've used silver simoniz engine enamel on my ally block, and it seems to be pretty hard wearing stuff.

[tr7v8]

On alloy blocks I've always used the wheel paint I have in the garage after scrubbing with a wire brush & degreasing.

[m4tti]

How did it hold up under the exhaust manifolds?

[tr7v8]

m4tti said:

How did it hold up under the exhaust manifolds?

Yes fine, used it on the heads as well, no issues. Rocker covers were Halfords car body paint, lacquered. In fact pic below.

[m4tti]

Thanks.

Obviously if the block temp starts climbing over 120 - 150c there will likely be some block issues turning up, but was curious with the reflected heat from the manifolds, although heat should rise.