Looking for some paint advice on engine compartment

[Barracudadan]

Looking for some opinions.I am going to need to paint my engine compartment it is in grey primer now, however the engine is in it and I don`t want to take it out at this time. I wouldnt mind spraying it myself and getting it as best I could,then take it to a bodyshop to do the rest or would it make more sense just to let them do it all?
I am thinking Lime light green for the color,should I use a spray gun I have a siphon type or just rattle cans? There is only exh manifolds on the motor now so I would like to do this before I put on headers.My idea is to paint the engine bay then get the car road worthy so I can drive it to a body shop to finish the car instead of having it trailered everywhere.I am only looking for driver type quality in the engine bay so it doesn`t have to be show perfect.I also wouldnt mind spraying the trunk and door jambs as well just to give myself a little automotive paint experience in some non-critical areas.

[dutch]

prepping will be backbreaking with the engine in there, but sure, it can be done.  Remove as many parts as possible from firewall and fenders, and mask with precision... it will make a ton of difference.  Make sure you sand well ,especially in places hard to reach... that`s usually the place where the paint will start letting go.  Definately use a spraygun and have the paintshop that will do the exterior mix the paint for you. That should eliminate most difference in color. 

[Topcat]

If you plan on doing it with the engine in place; you might want to consider getting a SATA minijet.
It's smaller and it'll make it a little easier in confined areas to get paint on.

[IMNCARN82]

Ya' strip everything you can out of the way. Tape off the rest. Plastic the engine/everything. 600 wet sand,grey scotchbrite. I had good results tuning the gun to a cone shape.Watch the flow.And work your way along sharpshooting in down low first.And around the back of the shock towers.behind the trans. Light coats.Don't stay in one spot too long. shoot shoot...   A smaller gun does help.   Don't bother with a rattle can. Single stage it. Slide a piece of cardboard over the fenders after to keep some dust out.  Cut/buff. Cones work good.    Or have them do it.     My friends are lining up for the booth.    R/T

[Bullitt-]

Seems to me Pulling the drive train & having the pro do the prep & paint would be easier & you would have a better finished product. 

[jimynick]

Whichever way you decide to go, the most important one will be cleaning the surface BEFORE sanding/painting. If you sand the compartment without degreasing it, you're just sanding the oil/grease into the paint and the fish eyes will be spectacular as will be the lack of adhesion. Finish wash it with a good brake cleaner and CLEAN rags. Shop rags that the rag guy brings every week are particularly contaminated. Prepare to knock the hide off pretty much every knuckle and God help you if you've got any kind of a bad back, because by the time you've done it- you'll understand why the cognoscenti told you to pull the engine. Have fun.

[67vertman]

If you decide to do it yourself, I recommend that you use "tin foil" around the wires, and small parts.  It is easier to remove than masking tape.

[Barracudadan]

Thanks for everyones comments so far. I am still undecided on doing the work my self.I sort of figured it would be back breaking so I understand that part. I would love to pull the drivetrain out and then paint but I am not equipped to pull a motor so that`s out.I like the tin foil trick that will help.
 If I decide to do the work myself what is the process to paint the engine bay after I prep it. Is it as simple as just open the can pour it in and shoot or do I need to add anything to the paint before I spray? After applying a base coat (how many coats should I apply too?) do you need to shoot a clear coat too? Sorry if these questions seem dumb but I am a total novice when it comes to painting. Any particular brand of paint I should use? I was thinking PPG there is a paint supplier near me and I think they carry that brand.

[sadil340]

One other suggestion - for hard to mask pieces you might try painting them with some medium grease - the paint will come off with the grease.

[jimynick]

Locally at  least, you can go to a paint supplier and they'll mix you up any colour code you want for about $25 for 2 rattle cans of single stage. I'd recommend staying single stage due to the KISS factor, which has always worked for me. Remember, what the surface looks like before you paint it is what it'll look like after you paint it, only it'll be one colour and shinier, so prep/sand it the way you want/need it to be. More light coats to cover and carefully put on a medium final for gloss- MIND THE RUNS and if it's high metallic-silver/gold etc. you might want to practice with a store bought can of similar hue to get a leg up on application procedures. Ain't painting fun? 

[Topcat]

Thanks for everyones comments so far. I am still undecided on doing the work my self.I sort of figured it would be back breaking so I understand that part. I would love to pull the drivetrain out and then paint but I am not equipped to pull a motor so that`s out.I like the tin foil trick that will help.
 If I decide to do the work myself what is the process to paint the engine bay after I prep it. Is it as simple as just open the can pour it in and shoot or do I need to add anything to the paint before I spray? After applying a base coat (how many coats should I apply too?) do you need to shoot a clear coat too? Sorry if these questions seem dumb but I am a total novice when it comes to painting. Any particular brand of paint I should use? I was thinking PPG there is a paint supplier near me and I think they carry that brand.

If I decide to do the work myself what is the process to paint the engine bay after I prep it. Is it as simple as just open the can pour it in and shoot or do I need to add anything to the paint before I spray?
That depends...For example; I've been using PPG Deltron 2000. It's a 1:1 basecoat to reducer. That means one part of paint to one part of reducer. But then the clearcoat is a 4 parts to 1. You need to find out what the manufacturers recommendations are to what type of paint you're going to be using.

With base coats can usually get you good results with 2 coats. Let the first flash for 15 to 30 minutes before the next one goes on. Keep in mind variables like gun, distance, PSI, spray pattern, play a part in how the coverage goes on. Whatever paint type you decide upon, stick to it what you use on the engine compartment to what the outside type will be. Best is to do the whole car all at once. Because there could be tone color hue differences when you break the paint days/times from each other.

I recommend you go to autobody101.com and do some homework. You tube can give you some ideas also.

[jackie]

it will be hard to get a good job with the engine in it. this is what mine looked like before i started on it this time. it was in pretty good shape, and i already have some 20 hrs. in it now, and just last night finely got some primer on it. tonight i will see what the primer will show me, that i could not see before. i am sure that will be more...good luck, and you don't have to be as picky as me of course.

[jackie]

after getting it smooth and straight

[Topcat]

tonight i will see what the primer will show me, that i could not see before. i am sure that will be more...good luck, and you don't have to be as picky as me of course.

If you really want to see what your results are after you primered and block, you need to get the primer wet. Water really isn't as ideal to use as is wax & grease remover. Why? Because the W & G when it just begins evaporating and that is the perfect time to really see your results. I recommend getting one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FBS-PRO-PUMP-SPRAY-W-VITON-SPRAY-GUN-SPRAYER-TOOL-/330410903787?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item4cee0648eb

[Barracudadan]

Just wanted to post a couple before and after pics to show how my engine bay turned out. Thanks for all the help!