Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

[Anthony P.]

Guys I'm working on a friends 69 427 and we would like to know if the engines were primed before the color coat was applied, and if so what shade of primer? I suspect that they had no primer but want to know what most of you already know.

Thanks as always

Tony

[Chris S.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

I am not sure what happened at the OE level
my assumption is not likely but I will let other chime in

I always prime engines I shoot with Vari-Prime then single stage

[Paul J.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Again? Tony there is a lot on this in the archives.

To answer your question, no, the engines were not primed. In fact, they were not covered in paint all that well.

Paul

[Domenic T.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Tony,
They were not primed but I found that priming the engine makes the paint look better and allows the paint to cover the casting better with less paint.

DOM

[Anthony P.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Ok thanks to everyone, that answers my question.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Tony,
They were not primed but I found that priming the engine makes the paint look better and allows the paint to cover the casting better with less paint.

DOM

Dom------


Yes, priming does make the final paint look better. However, it does not usually appear original. The prime coat "smooths out" the cast iron surface too much and makes the final coat of paint appear too thick.

My recommendation: use a good self-priming engine paint without any primer.

[Michael F.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

I agree.

Fewer coats give less chance of chipping and peeling also.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

I think these engine paints are a alkaloid enamel and they don't require primers. IMO, too much paint also keeps the heat trapped so less is better.

Years ago you could go to the auto paint store and get a quart of engine paint but I don't know today. In the past I have always had a good luck with Seymour paints.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Do you know who made the alkaloid enamel?

[Ron G.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

I can't say for sure, but I am sure that Sherwinn Williams made the paint for Flint. Big blocks had of a more reddish in color to it. I actually have some, but not nearly enough to paint a complete engine. Small blocks I have. What I do know is that I mentioned in a prior post is that original big block paint was an oil base and small blocks were an oil base up to calendar year 1971 where they wen to a waterbase. Sory I can't be more help.

[John H.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Ken Kayser, who was the Master Mechanic at both Tonawanda and Flint V-8, noted during his engine presentation at the Novi National Convention that there were twelve different suppliers of the Chevrolet Orange engine paint during the 60's and 70's. Knowing how Chevrolet Purchasing operated in those days, you can be assured that they regularly beat the suppliers against each other to get the best price.

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

That sounds like (if they took no care to clean the pots and pipes to segregate different paint suppliers) some of us could have a mix of supplier A and supplier B and so on to supplier L (If they didn't skip I), so we will never know what shade our engine paint should be. Oh, woe is us!

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

That sounds like (if they took no care to clean the pots and pipes to segregate different paint suppliers) some of us could have a mix of supplier A and supplier B and so on to supplier L (If they didn't skip I), so we will never know what shade our engine paint should be. Oh, woe is us!

Terry------


I like the Chevrolet orange that has quite a bit of red in it. I think it has a lot more "sophisticated" look than the almost fully orange version. In fact, my original 1969 small block was originally painted with the "redder" version of Chevrolet orange. Maybe that's why I like it but I think it goes beyond that.

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

Terry------


I like the Chevrolet orange that has quite a bit of red in it. I think it has a lot more "sophisticated" look than the almost fully orange version. In fact, my original 1969 small block was originally painted with the "redder" version of Chevrolet orange. Maybe that's why I like it but I think it goes beyond that.

And your paint color choices are just as valid for judging as anyone's based on the 12 suppliers story.

Now since the original question was primer or not & we have established that neither Flint nor Tonawanda used primer on the engine -- what about paint coverage. The most common deduction I make (after the engine ID label on the rocker cover) is for too much paint on the engine. That is behind the water pump, not on the water pump bypass hose, and too thick paint application. How do you use primer on the engine and prevent excessive paint build?

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint Primer or no Primer?

And your paint color choices are just as valid for judging as anyone's based on the 12 suppliers story.

How do you use primer on the engine and prevent excessive paint build?

Terry------


No way that I know of. I've tried priming parts and was totally dissatisfied with the final appearance after the finish coat. Yes, it looked "nice" but not in any way original.

There really is no need for primer anyway. Self-priming engine paints eliminate the need for it. If the surface is clean and free from oil the paint will adhere well enough to last longer than any of us are going to care about it.