Engine bay help

[czm]

Hi there

I have the engine out of my VW camper at the moment and I would like to clean up and spray the engine bay.


My question is, I have a tin of Synthetic paint that I purchased from Jawel paints in the summer which I was going to use to spray the van, in the end I used 2K and was really pleased with the results.

However as I have this sitting there doing nothing can I use it to spray the engine bay?

Can I think it down with 2k thinners as I have some of that left over?

Do I need a primers or is a rub down /key all that is needed?

Can you brush it on without any thinner and get a half decent finish?


Just trying to use up what I have left over from the renovation rather than spending more on more paints, thinners, primers ect ect


Thanks

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Ahh good old synthetic. The engine bay is a bit constricted to spray properly too many nooks a crannys and panels pressings that will promote runs. Synthetic can be brushed on with a good brush as is. Just flat the paint down, prime any bare metal and go for it, it's very forgiving of surface imperfections and any runs that start to form can be brushed out. It will take about 8 Hrs to be touch dry and a number of days to truly harden.

Colin

 

[czm]

Great thank you.
So no thinners, just brush on straight from the tin?

 

[colnerov]

Yes, just the same as household paint.

 

[the snooper]

I'd rather use some more 2k synthetic is terrible cheap paint you won't be able to flat any runs out or polish it, I would spray aswell brush marks look awful

 

[czm]

Ok so now I don't know what to do.

I thought the brush marks wont be that obvious in an engine bay and can I not deal with runs OK with a brush

 

[the snooper]

Brushing the paint will stand out like a sore thumb and it's a one shot paint if it looks bad in the future and you wanted to do it again you would probably have to remove it to stop any reactions, I haven't used it for years and would advise anyone else to either

 

[colnerov]

Hi, The OP wants to use paint he has already got, by the time the engine and other engine bay furniture is in there any imperfections won't notice so much. I agree on the outer bodywork where a good finish is required then synthetic is a once only go and difficult to correct defects. It all depends on the finish required, mirror finish or serviceable. Only the OP knows what the wanted. There is nothing wrong with brushing synthetic it's called 'coach painting' and is an old and respected skill. Because the paint takes so long to dry the paint flows out and the brush marks disappear which is why it's susceptible to runs which can be brushed away as they form.

Colin

 

[the snooper]

Hi, The OP wants to use paint he has already got, by the time the engine and other engine bay furniture is in there any imperfections won't notice so much. I agree on the outer bodywork where a good finish is required then synthetic is a once only go and difficult to correct defects. It all depends on the finish required, mirror finish or serviceable. Only the OP knows what the wanted. There is nothing wrong with brushing synthetic it's called 'coach painting' and is an old and respected skill. Because the paint takes so long to dry the paint flows out and the brush marks disappear which is why it's susceptible to runs which can be brushed away as they form.

Colin

I wouldn't use it on a car full stop even more so if it's a decent car and the synthetic paint is different to the enamel that sign writers use to use

 

[Spark plug]

I would prep it useing wet scotchbrite with a little detergent in the water to get all the dirt out of the nooks and crannies the a good wipe with panel wipe/thinners.

I probably wouldn't use the synthetic also you will need synthetic thinners, if memory serves 2k thinners will make it curdle.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, I agree, I probably wouldn't use it on a car either now because of having moved on. The OP didn't ask for a judgement call on it, he asked if he could spray or brush it and get a half decent finish. So I answered the question as to how. When I worked for the bus company all the buses were coach painted in synthetic enamel which as said is different to signwriting enamel.

Colin

 

[the snooper]

Hi, I agree, I probably wouldn't use it on a car either now because of having moved on. The OP didn't ask for a judgement call on it, he asked if he could spray or brush it and get a half decent finish. So I answered the question as to how. When I worked for the bus company all the buses were coach painted in synthetic enamel which as said is different to signwriting enamel.

Colin

I wasn't knocking your advise just not sure if the op knows just what he would be letting himself in for with this paint and brushing it on

 

[czm]

Well I think I have decided to use Gravitex from Upol in black textured finish using a Schutz gun?

Good plan or not??

 

[marlinspike]

Gravitex dries matt and textured doesn't it? Won't be easy to clean and might trap dirt and moisture.

If you are not bothered about the colour matching (which I am guessing you aren't if you are happy using Gravitex) I would try to find some Aldi Metal paint. My car resto is black fortunately and I have used it in the boot, floor pan, wheel arches, and sills where I have made welding repairs. It dries to a hard semi gloss finish. Comes in black, white, and I think grey. About £3 an aerosol can, though they don't stock it all the time. There will be similar other products available but probably more expensive.

What colour is the van?

 

[czm]

Yep not bothered about colour matching, just want it clean, tidy and durable.
Has to be Matte and I thought the textured finish would be a good hide any imperfections.

 

[steveo3002]

gravitex will do it

give it a good clean down with some panel wipe /thinners and a scotch pad first

id also advise a couple of coats of satin black over the stonechip as it can look a bit chalky on its own , just some rattle cans if need be for a smarter look

 

[keithski122]

Wouldn't imagine anyone doing work in a vw engine bay would appreciate you painting it black!
Choose a nice light colour.

 

[vdubz]

Just spray a light coat of stone chip and then you could brush paint the body colour over it.