Paint engine tin...

As far as I know, you can paint it with normal paint, as long as it is only the tin. If you are planning to paint the engine block then you need high-temp paint. You can find this type of paint at car accesories shops.

Ant

Tomislav Cekolj wrote in this freaking newsgroup:

There was an article in either Hot VW's or VW trends that said you can use single stage urethane on the tin not block or exhaust, haven't tried it yet but plan on it this winter. Dave

Regular spray paint works... As with all paint the better the paint, the longer it lasts. Also, clean the tin, remove the oil ( I know it sounds obvious).

If your tin is getting hot enough to peel paint, you have a serious cooling problem.

-- Mel P.

I restore tins by first sanding them down to the metal. Then they receive a few coats of Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. Treat (wipe) the surface with #000 or #0000 steel wool, and then apply the 1st coat of your choice of spray enamel. Let it dry. And again wipe the surface with steel wool. Spray on the final coat.

And after treating the paint with steel wool, I lightly wipe the surface with paint thinner on a clean rag.

My tins have lasted many years by use of this technique.

Ant: IMHO painting the engine block with Hi-Temp paint is a bad idea. The nature of the paint and its composition lessons the ability of the case to dissipate heat. Something very important to an air cooled engine. Keep it simple, flat black on the block and then be creative with the tin.

I'm in the middle of putting together a 1776 and had all my tin chemically dipped. I'm also getting everything powdercoated. It's costing quite a bit more than a quick respray but I've been curious as to how it would turn out and when I checked on the powdercoaters' progress I was blown away! Looks awesome, looking forward to having it all together.

High-temp paint contains ceramic which is, in fact, a heat insulator. The ceramic is is specifically added to this paint in order for the paint to stand up to the heated surface.