[special55]

Hey Everyone,

I purchased a qt of the engine enamel from Bill Hirsch and plan to apply it with a HVLP gun.

If anyone has advise on tip size, thin or don't thin or anything else relevant I would greatly appreciate it.


Thanks,

Rich

[buicks39]

is the engine in or out of the car? i have never myself used a gun,only rattle cans and they look good.how ever i do know people who do use a small detail gun.make sure all the grease is off and use a high heat primer.

[special55]

Hey 39,


Engine is out and just went through a fresh rebuild. The block was sent out and cleaned and all the sheetmetal parts blasted and primed. I just need to give it a final once over and start sprayin


I just wanted to seek a little advice from those that have been there and done that.



Rich

[Bhigdog]

My advice is to use a brush on the castings to get the paint into all the pits and pores, you will NEVER see brush marks. Prime and spray all the smooth steel parts.......Bob

[nickelroadster]

You need to familiarize yourself with spraying with a gun. Hiopefully it is a small touchup type. A fullsize spraygun is kind of over kill with an engine. If you call Bill Hirsch, he can give you the proper amount to thin the paint and what you should use as thinner. A quart of paint is way plenty to paint an engine and should give you enough to do a little practicing before you paint the engine. Make sure that you wipe the area to be painted with a degreaser or alchol to make absolutely sure there is no contamination on th engine. Take your time.

[special55]

Thanks for the response guys,


I did contact Bill Hirsch and they were able to tell me what to thin with but were no help on what size tip to use if spraying unthinned which is my first preference.

I am familiar with syphon feed guns but this is my first go around with the HVLP. I will take your advise and spend a little time spraying some scrap to get the feel.



Any more advise out there guys?

Keep it coming

Rich

[Bhigdog]

Why do you prefer not thinning? The stuff unthinned is pretty thick. Thin to normal consistancy and it will level into a nice finish. Thinned I would use a 1.3 tip...........Bob

[special55]

Hi Bob,


Only because they recommend 1 ounce of what they call "very slow curing thinner" for the entire quart.

Seems like a waste to by a thinner I might not ever use again for one ounce.

That was really my only motivation for spraying straight up.


Rich

[Bhigdog]

Either an enamel or lacquer reducer will work fine. You Don't need a "special" reducer. A slow (or hot weather) reducer is recommended because the paint sets up fairly quickly and you want it to have time to flow out.
What I do is use a disposible bristle brush on the block and any cast iron to apply two coats, unthinned. By the time I finish with the first coat it's time to do the second. For any smooth parts I prime with a self etching primer. I thin the paint to a normal consistancy and apply two coats. I apply the second coat when the first has set up to a tack. I sometimes will even apply a third coat if I want a really nice finish such as on valve covers. BTW, if you have small dings in valve covers or air cleaners regular polyester body filler will work just fine to level them out.
This works very well and lasts a long time..............Bob

[special55]

Thanks Bob


That's great info



Did you paint your cast parts separate from your sheet metal parts prior to assembly or assemble first then paint?


Thanks again for the advise. It's much appreciated.

Rich