clean up and paint engines

[Richard Ash]

I want to remove rust and flaking paint and repaint engines. Any thought on products to use? Had someone say to use POR 15. I see POR also has a cleaner to etch the metal.

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[John]

 POR-15 is a little too aggressive for an engine paint.  Prep requires a degreasing cleaner, an etching solvent, then paint.  It requires POR’s thinner solvent, and any spills or overpaint is there forever.  Once you open a one pint can, and exposed to air, the paint dries up quickly (6 months).  Plus it’s expensive.  

I’d recommend plain old Rustoleum.  A 50/50 mix of gloss white and gloss almond is a perfect match for Cummins white. Just do the requisite wire brushing, degreasing, cleaning with brake/carb or paint thinner, and apply with brush or spray (Preval or small gravity feed gun), thinned appropriately. 

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Richard Ash

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