Should I clear coat the engine?

[WH23G3G]

I've got my 400 painted Chrysler Blue like it should. I cleaned real good with the wax and grease remover, heated the block up a long time with a heat gun, and then I sprayed light coats of Dupli-Color Chrysler Blue and then reheated the block with a heat gun after. It was a nice mild day when I did that. I waited probably a week and then I recoated some of the spots I missed and did the same procedure. It looks pretty good. The motor was baked and jetwashed so there's no grease anywhere. But I'm wondering is going to add any protection from the engine paint chipping if I apply the Dupli-Color Engine Clear Coat? I don't know if I need to apply anymore coats of blue. I don't know how thick it is now. I just don't want to put the engine in and have to hose off the dust and have the paint come off with just a garden hose. I still am going to hang the exhaust manifolds and overspray them just because I think it looks cool. Then I have to paint the valve cover grommets. I left the negative cable on so it would get overspray like the factory.

[Silver R/T]

I would've shot it bc/cc in the first place, much more durability and better gloss retention. Also it won't be easy to come off when your oil/gas spills on it

[WH23G3G]

I thought the engine enamel was the only option for engine paint. I even talked to the guy at the body shop that painted my truck. He was restoring an Oldsmobile and he said to use the engine paint in the can with no primer and heat the block up. I've seen some really nice bc/cc engines painted at the car show and I've always asked how they got it so glossy. They said it's the clear coat but a lot of them said it bubbles after the engine gets hot because it wasn't made for the engine.

[maxwellwedge]

I would go with what you have done at leave it that that.

[Silver R/T]

I thought the engine enamel was the only option for engine paint. I even talked to the guy at the body shop that painted my truck. He was restoring an Oldsmobile and he said to use the engine paint in the can with no primer and heat the block up. I've seen some really nice bc/cc engines painted at the car show and I've always asked how they got it so glossy. They said it's the clear coat but a lot of them said it bubbles after the engine gets hot because it wasn't made for the engine.

it won't bubble unless maybe around exhaust ports. New bc/cc system is the best paint you can put on your car.

[C_stripes]

I thought the engine enamel was the only option for engine paint. I even talked to the guy at the body shop that painted my truck. He was restoring an Oldsmobile and he said to use the engine paint in the can with no primer and heat the block up. I've seen some really nice bc/cc engines painted at the car show and I've always asked how they got it so glossy. They said it's the clear coat but a lot of them said it bubbles after the engine gets hot because it wasn't made for the engine.

it won't bubble unless maybe around exhaust ports. New bc/cc system is the best paint you can put on your car.

On your car, yes. But on the engine. The best paint you can put on it is high temp engine paint. BC/CC paint is not high temp, so it wont look good for long.

[Silver R/T]

http://www.kustomkulturelounge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=667

I've been told its fine to paint engine block with bc/cc system by a professional painter/college instructor. I would take his word for it, he's been painting show cars and his work is immaculate

[moparguy01]

Once again, I cant believe I am going to say it. But I agree 100% with Silver.
I have painted many engines with either a single stage paint over epoxy, or bc/cc over epoxy and haver found it to hold up MUCH longer and BETTER than anything i've found out of a can. I have just over 45,000 miles on a engine i painted with single stage auto paint, and when i spray the road dust off it, it looks like I painted it yesterday. I think that alone speaks for itself.

as for myself, you will NEVER catch me painting an engine any other way.

[Nacho-RT74]

RUSS!!! WELCOME BACK!!!

I have got good results with Mark Hide cans brand. Only getting damage on crossover area at intake. rest is simply plain perfect. They get even some shine, maybe they are mixed with some clearcoat.

[moparguy01]

where'd I go? didnt know i left somewhere. Did I have fun?

[Nacho-RT74]

Dunno, you tell me. I haven't seen you in a long time posting here or anywhere or at MSN LOL.