Painting aluminum intake manifold...

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so rather than do a powdercoat, I figure I can get a little more uniform in colors since I'll be painting parts separately (valve cover, intake manifold) at separate times.What would be best recommended to prime an aluminum intake manifold? I've always just gone to Ace and picked up some rustoleum primer, but I'm thinking there may be a better option?I think 2 light primer coats will work best, then 2 coats of the color of choice.Any suggestions for the paint itself?ThanksHobart EZ-Tig newbie.
Reply:They make engine enamel, I would go with that. An intake can get pretty hot, especially if it still has the EGR crossover, The engine enamel is good to 500* and comes in a lot of different colors. Normal paint will get soft and gummy at a pretty low temp and will probably flake or bubble off.Rustoleum and dupli-color both make engine paint, I would go to a local paint house and see what they come up with, Its important that you use a high temp paint
Reply:Dupli color engine enamel is JUNK. I used it on my engine and parts it cracks and flakes. I would stay away from that.
Reply:I got some spray on cast aluminum paint from summit racing for my intake that has held up nice for 2 years and counting. Spills wipe right up. I will see if i still have the can and post info. in an hour or so.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqThey make engine enamel, I would go with that. An intake can get pretty hot, especially if it still has the EGR crossover, The engine enamel is good to 500* and comes in a lot of different colors. Normal paint will get soft and gummy at a pretty low temp and will probably flake or bubble off.Rustoleum and dupli-color both make engine paint, I would go to a local paint house and see what they come up with, Its important that you use a high temp paint
Reply:best engine enamel I've ever used is sold by a company called POR-15, awesome stuff, only thing is no aerosol cans   http://www.por15.com/ENGINE-ENAMEL/productinfo/EEPA/miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:I have never used por on the intake BUT everything I have used by them is GREAT!!!!!!Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I used VHT engine enamel 550F. It has been excellentDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:was kinda hoping for a spray on (I don't have an air gun)......but that POR stuff looks goodHobart EZ-Tig newbie.
Reply:if your not super picky it can even be brushed on really, it's enamel so very slow drying, means dust will stick to it longer but also slow drying means that brush marks will disappear too... still better to spray it though for most even coveragemiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:If its aluminum why bother?...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:because it looks crappy the way it is, and I'm too lazy/there are too many nooks and crannies to spend 3 days polishing it.Hobart EZ-Tig newbie.
Reply:Originally Posted by chimmikebecause it looks crappy the way it is, and I'm too lazy/there are too many nooks and crannies to spend 3 days polishing it.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterIf its aluminum why bother?...zap!
Reply:Have it blasted with walnut shells, bead blasted, or even lightly sand blasted. Second spray with a good epoxy primer. Third... paint... (I doubt you will need VHT paint for an intake but probably won't hurt to use it though)...Or just clear over the blasted aluminum, won't look polished or anything but will be much easier to clean...Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:It would be cheaper for you in the long run to have the stuff powder coated probably, one time and done, and will hold up for many years..  anymore a good powdercoater can make something look like near chrome if its in good condition and clean.. If your running boost, you might look at having the intake ceramic coated, It might help with the heat. Its not that much more expensive either. If I had my oven built I would do it for material cost and shipping.. I'm planning on starting to powdercoat and ceramic coat for a hobby...got my powder and paintguns already.. If your stuck on painting the parts I would use a zinc oxide primer (if you can even buy it anymore) if you cant get that primer I would use Nason brand epoxy primer, then I would probably go to a semi truck place and buy some hydrofloric acid wash called Briter 601 and clean the aluminum parts with that, then bake the aluminum parts to burn off as much contaminants as you can, then clean the parts again with the acid wash, then start prepping for primer and paint, might even throw a sandblast or bead blast in there somewhere.. there is also water transfer imaging, its pretty cool, there are many many different designs you can choose from, flames, lighting bolts, camoflage just too many to name them all, they basically paint the parts with a base color then dip them in the transfer tank, the material adheres to the parts, then they clear them.. same process they use on guns and bows and such to camoflage them...   There is also some paint/coating called Duracoat that suppose to be tough as nails..Last edited by brucer; 08-03-2012 at 08:09 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I used PPG 2 stage clear coat on mine 10 yrs ago with no problem.  Just a slight yellow tinge to it after all these years.  All spill clean up nicely with a rag.  I just mixed it with hardener and brushed it on. 406" SBC in a '69 Vette and driven really hard (when I was a bit younger).TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The valve cover in this car was just bead blasted and cleared.Same kind of valve cover on my other car painted. Just simple primer, base, clear.
Reply:Thanks for all the suggestionsHobart EZ-Tig newbie.