My 396 was painted a year ago with Dupli-Color Chevy Orange. Has anyone had any experience with appling POR-15 engine paint over the Dupli-Color. There is no peeling/flaking or anything going on except it is dulling somewhat. If this can be done how would I go about preping the engine to accept the POR-15 paint? Thanks for any suggestions. Yes I did a search and could not find any info on this subject. Plenty of info POR-15 for doing frames etc.

Jesse Robertson

Haven't used the POR engine paint, but if it's anything like it's sheet-metal counterpart, you're going to need to strip the engine down to bare metal. POR is a very expensive topcoat and does not stick well if applied over an existing paint...

Why not just re-paint with a good epoxy?

Jesse,I've actually played in the trenches and have painted 2 big blocks with POR-15 that all ready had paint on them.I just scuffed the motors with 180 grit and wiped them down with Prepsolve and went from there.Other than a few brush hairs stuck in the paint,they came out OK and there wasn't any durability issues.

So Chris, would you recommend the POR-15 engine paint? are you gonna use it again?

..well,to be honest..no
Not that its a bad product,it's easier to spray bomb the motor then hang out with a brush IMHO.And I wouldn't want to spray POR-15 thru a gun either.
I always paint my motors with spray bomb primer surfacer first,then 3 coats of Chevy orange either Duplicolor or Plastikote.Comes out perfect.

I agree with Chris. Painted my motor with POR-15 and for the time and trouble I don't think it is worth it. It is a very bright shiny orange but a lot of work.

POR15 my engine, and it looked like such crap, i stripped it all off and sprayed. I would not recommend it.

I had no problems with POR15's engine paint, but then again I sprayed it as opposed to brushing. Not sure why you wouldn't want to spray it. Clean the gun thoroughly using the POR thinner and use the water trap. Piece of cake :confused:

Mike S

Mike,I've heard its nasty stuff to spray as far odor,etc. and proper ventilation is a problem for me.So I decided against it.
You can get a spray bomb paint job just as shiny as POR-15 job just by topcoating the engine paint with hi temp clear,and its more cost effective.

4 Speed, you're right about the cost. Little pricey for the perceived benefit. Haven't really noticed any odour issues (they all smell like paint to me :D ). Yeah, I usually assume everyone has a spray setup which may not necessarily be the case. I've had great results spraying this stuff and their other products. Durability with some of them is another issue though...

sorry Chris, what the heck is "spray bomb?" is that a brand name or what? I liked the high temp plastikote but didn't like the Duplicolor black...

Originally posted by Purs:
sorry Chris, what the heck is "spray bomb?" is that a brand name or what? I liked the high temp plastikote but didn't like the Duplicolor black... Spray paint...rattle car..ect.

Sprayed mine with the Duplicolor high temp Chevy Orange. One coat, while it was in the car, and it still looks decent. Never expected it to be a show car, but the motor looks better than before.
Chris

I painted over rattle can paint with POR Engine paint. No prep, and had the engine started and up to temp several times now. No sign of any problems.

I really like the great coverage and the smooth looks. Other than limited colors, I can't see a down side. The Chevy color looks more pink, but I went with Cadillac Blue.

I am happy!

http://home.earthlink.net/~csmartin33/images/engine%20pass%20side%202.jpg

and

http://home.earthlink.net/~csmartin33/images/drivers%20side%20back.jpg

Thanks folks, some great info here to help me decide to go that POR route of not.
I really appreciate it.

Jesse

This is the best advice your going to get. So everybody out there pay attention. If you like your Big Block clean like me and you dont want to paint it every 3 months You must Powder coat before you put motor together.

Originally posted by MALIBLUE67:
This is the best advice your going to get. So everybody out there pay attention. If you like your Big Block clean like me and you dont want to paint it every 3 months You must Powder coat before you put motor together. ...I didn't powdercoat mine,and I don't need to paint it every 3 months either.
Even w/close to 10K miles in 3 years,it looks as good as did the day I painted it.The occasional wipedown with some bug/tar remover is about all it needs to do to keep it looking fresh.

..how much does it cost to powdercoat an engine anyway?

If you guys read the lable on the POR engine paint it is NOT the same as there other products.
You can use laquer thinner or mineral spirts to thinn it for spraying.
You can buy disposable spray bomb (preval) that would do nicely for the job.
I sprayed it on my motor with no problems, and would use it again.
I think it is more of an enamel type paint?
I know for a fact it's not moisture actavated like the regular POR paint is.
T.C.

Don't use a hair brush use a foam brush.

I POR-15 mine 4 years ago and it looks as goos as the day I did it. I clear coated everything, manifold, water pump, brackets, everything with their PLUCID clear. hard as a rock and has not discolored at all. Very easy to clean the engine...just wipe with a damp cloth.

I'm building a new motor and I'm going to try their 2 part epoxy on this one, only because they didnt have the color I wanted in their engine paint line.

Also, spraying the paint is the only way to get a real nice look, brushing it just looks too thick for me.

Lee

I used the por-15 on my 454 crate motor, all I did was scuff the black paint and brushed the por-15. I got a little crazy and put a good 4 coats on it but it looks great, drove the crap out of it this past summer and still looks brand new. I love the por-15 product I painted my frame and the underneath of my car with it and I am still chip free.