Painting cylinder fins

I am thinking about painting the jugs on my KZ750 B1 black. Can anyone recommend a good rattle can paint for this job? What about prep? What is the best way to clean the fins before spraying? Thanks for any input.

kawiwowi wrote: I am thinking about painting the jugs on my KZ750 B1 black. Can anyone recommend a good rattle can paint for this job? What about prep? What is the best way to clean the fins before spraying? Thanks for any input.

VHT *FLAME PROOF* HIGH TEMP paint, not just High Temp. I rattle canned my Honda (im thinking of doing my Kawa) and it came out great. Use Steel Wool grade 00 or Scotchbrite pad and clean the fins before painting.



My Honda rattle canned engine:

PJ1 has a good reputation. I used VHT engine paint on my KZ750 engine and wouldn't use it again. It's brittle and not very fuel resistant.

Nessism wrote: PJ1 has a good reputation. I used VHT engine paint on my KZ750 engine and wouldn't use it again. It's brittle and not very fuel resistant.

Interesting, it was widely used in the uk but the the formulation changed here due to enviromental reasons. Its not what it used to be and is no longer the paint of choice. Everyone uses simomez tough paint satin black now. Needs very little prep and can go straight onto bare metal. Once cured it is fuel proof but that takes a month or two to fully cure.

Simoniz or Sperex tough satin black (Exactly the same paint with slightly different lables) works well or Wurth satin black and behaves just like the old PJ1 before they mucked up the formula.
Once it's been through a heat cycle it becomes oil and fuel resistant.
I have engines in regular use that are still looking good 10 years after they were painted.
Preparation is the key though and you need a clean oil free etched surface ( media blasted etc ) as a base for the best long lasting results.

Nessism wrote: PJ1 has a good reputation. I used VHT engine paint on my KZ750 engine and wouldn't use it again. It's brittle and not very fuel resistant.

My 900F gets hot as hell. No issues with the VHT at all. Never had fuel spill on my block by the fins...maybe Im an odd duck, but the Flame Proof VHT is holding up rather well.

if you cant do a media etch because the engine is assembled I have had good results using chemical metal etch to prep the surface for paint.

www.por15.com/POR-15-Metal-Prep

Black paint holds heat. Hot water heater tanks are painted black then covered with insulation and the outer case.
Steve

Steve that was one of my concerns regarding painting it black. But I've seen quite a few air cooled bikes with black engines and they seem to be ok.

Simonez tough paint satin black. Khi painted many engine black for many models.

kawiwowi wrote: Steve that was one of my concerns regarding painting it black. But I've seen quite a few air cooled bikes with black engines and they seem to be ok.

I always had the barrels bare aluminum but the ones I have now were painted. Doesn't matter much now I have a oil cooler.
Steve