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Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: February 16th, 2011, 6:28 pm
by xSocialx
I'm getting my ZE soon and I want to paint the block, IM etc.. just wondering if anyone had any experience with the stuff

Here's a link with a purty picture

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/paint/pt101.htm

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: February 16th, 2011, 7:30 pm
by mitmaks
I would not paint engine with acrylic enamel. You can paint it with base/clear or even single stage would work fine. Once oil/gas gets on acrylic enamel it will damage it. Best economic choice would be single stage urethane enamel.

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 1st, 2011, 5:42 pm
by xSocialx
Thanks for the input!

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 29th, 2011, 11:43 pm
by muttpower
Why not just use some Hi-Temp enamel???? At Least that's what I've always done. Especially for the parts like the block, head, headers, etc... In my opinion, it's much more durable, next to all out powder coating.

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 30th, 2011, 12:16 am
by mitmaks
enamel doesn't belong on engine or any part that's exposed to elements, sun/water/cold/dirt

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 30th, 2011, 12:43 am
by muttpower
I'm talking about something like this: http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraypaintdepot/DC-engine.aspx

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 30th, 2011, 2:14 am
by xSocialx
That's a pretty interesting link. There's two different types, one that's good for 500 degrees and one t 1200 intermediately.

Tons ofcolours

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: March 30th, 2011, 11:30 am
by Josh
That’s the same stuff I have been using for years, I always use the 1200 deg (I like to overkill). it works on everything headers, turbo manifolds, engine blocks, brake calipers and so on. long lasting stuff I live in WA and get lots of rain and grime from freeway driving and it still holds up. It’s really durable, I actually use it on like A arms and such it gives it a mat OEM kind of finish. I know several shops that use it. Great stuff IMO

edit: whats cool is you can get it with Ceramic too.

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: May 6th, 2011, 4:23 am
by ethand
mitmaks wrote:enamel doesn't belong on engine or any part that's exposed to elements, sun/water/cold/dirt
oh... that would explain why my paint I did to my window frames has started peeling & going white?? The guy at the shop said it'd be fine & that it was automotive grade... :(

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: May 6th, 2011, 4:10 pm
by mitmaks
"high heat" is still enamel and it will burn off in time. Buddy used it on his headers and now they're all burnt up and its coming off

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: May 6th, 2011, 7:10 pm
by Ryan
But its all you can get in a rattle can.... :lol:

Or have I no idea concerning that which I shpeal?

Can you get urethane based paints in cans?

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: May 6th, 2011, 7:59 pm
by mitmaks
No you can't as it's 2 part component and as they react together it will build up enough pressure so that can will blow up eventually.
Best way is to epoxy prime and paint

Re: Anyone ever use acrylic enamel?

Posted: May 11th, 2011, 12:47 pm
by Josh
WHAT!!! yes you can.... ^^^

it is a two part, one time use can. it has a punch on the bottom of the can, SO.. you hit the bottom of the can puncturing the inside mixing the two. I have used it several times. and they wouldn't sell it if using it would cause it to explode. only under intense heat like any aerosol can.

Your buddy probably used the 600deg paint on his headers. You have to use the 1200, the 600deg will eventually chip and flake off. I have used it on two different turbo mani's and never had that problem, a cast iron mani and a tubular SS. and Turbo manifolds are hotter than a NA Mani (in most cases).

Just like with any surface it needs to be properly prepped or it will turn out like s---. this is where most fail in their efforts. It's also technique , you have to do many light coats with a reasonable amount of flash time in between. Most lay it on too heavy and too few coats and it chips and flakes just like a MACO paint job. you have to treat it the same as if you were painting your car. Patients is key here

This is the case with any Enamel or any paint for that matter. the paint is usually not the issue