10 replies to this topic

[Old Bob]

Just about to paint my cylinder head, got it nicely cleaned up, opened the can of enamel I had waiting and the paint has gone off - think cold jelly!

I really wanted to get this job finished today but the only other red paint I have available is Hammertite. Anyone used it for engine painting? I don't think cylinder heads should get too hot but the last thing I need is to put the engine back and then to have to strip it all out again if the paint blisters...........

Advice and successful experiences appreciated.

Bob

[A-Cell]

Hammerite Smooth is good. Used satin black ok. Halfords is open!

[Old Bob]

Hammerite Smooth is good. Used satin black ok. Halfords is open!

Hammerite smooth it will be then. Cheers.

Bob

[SA MINI]

Also when it goes like jelly you will find its just the top layer has dried out & turned into a rubber film you can pierce it & the rest of the paint underneith is usually fine

Edited by SA MINI, 30 December 2012 - 12:33 PM.

[Old Bob]

Also when it goes like jelly you will find its just the top layer has dried out & turned into a rubber film you can pierce it & the rest of the paint underneith is usually fine

No, unfortunately the whole content was like jelly and wouldn't even stick to the Mk. 1 stirring stick (a screwdriver) so I figured it was past its best.

Bob

[minilee94]

I akways found halfords own engine high temp paint much better to be honest instead of hammerite

[Cerberus]

Hammerite red was fine on our crossflow engine apart from around the exhaust ports, where it went black. But so has halfords engine enamel. Think the engine runs hot anyway as it's high compression. The hammerite elsewhere did start to bubble a little bit, so we went over it with engine enamel, but as said, it's a hot engine.

We've just painted an essex v6 with yellow hammerite too.

[Old Bob]

Hammerite red was fine on our crossflow engine apart from around the exhaust ports, where it went black. But so has halfords engine enamel. Think the engine runs hot anyway as it's high compression. The hammerite elsewhere did start to bubble a little bit, so we went over it with engine enamel, but as said, it's a hot engine.

We've just painted an essex v6 with yellow hammerite too.

Thanks. I went ahead and used the Hammerite anyway. Reasoned that it really shouldn't get much over 105 - 110 degrees with the cooling water circulating and that's probably not much hotter than metal left in the sun gets.........

Bob

[A-Cell]

My black was done in spring, no problems, still looks good. Hope yours works as well.

[1984mini25]

Been painting engines with hammerite for years and never had any problems. But if the engine is getting hot enough to burn the paint off, the type of paint would be the least of your worries.

[tiger99]

I agree with the above. An engine block ought not to get much above 100C, as it is mostly limited by the coolant temperature. Most paints can resist that sort of temperature. The exhaust ports would be the most troublesome area, but fortunately they are not all that visible.

The manifold is of course another matter altogether, as it basically has no cooling. One of the modern ceramic type coatings is best there. I used to use Sperex, many years ago, but as a paint it was not wonderful.