[buckeyeinwy]

I have purchased a rebuilt '66 389 that has been painted the wrong color (an odd blue??). I want to repaint this engine in the correct Pontiac '66 color in a manner that will provide longevity and accuracy. My question is this, any ideas on how to remove the current paint job without disassembling the engine. Would sandblasting be acceptable if I completely seal the ports, openings, etc? Sandblasting makes me nervous obviously. Painting over the existing color brings to mind peeling and flaking. Any experience or suggestion out there? Also, what has been your best experience with paint brands? Eastwood, VHT? Thanks and look forward to your replies....

[buckeyeinwy]

I have purchased a rebuilt '66 389 that has been painted the wrong color (an odd blue??). I want to repaint this engine in the correct Pontiac '66 color in a manner that will provide longevity and accuracy. My question is this, any ideas on how to remove the current paint job without disassembling the engine. Would sandblasting be acceptable if I completely seal the ports, openings, etc? Sandblasting makes me nervous obviously. Painting over the existing color brings to mind peeling and flaking. Any experience or suggestion out there? Also, what has been your best experience with paint brands? Eastwood, VHT? Thanks and look forward to your replies....

[Bob Lawyer]

I have always just cleaned the heck out of mine with good solvents, then hand sanded (Not sand blasted) and cleaned some more. I generally also wire brush the surfaces to add some roughness to promote paint adhesion. Then, I clean some more until I can rub a white cloth and get no discoloration. Ihave never had any peeling or flaking, although you can expect discoloration around the exhaust ports and heat cross over area. Ihave used both Plasticote and Duplicolor with no discernable differences.

If you have the engine apart have the block, heads, and intake hot tanked at a machine shop and that will do 90% of the cleaning work for you. But you'll still have to follow them up with your own cleaning.

[MILF]

I pressure washed the block first with a nice strong pressure washer. Then I soaked it pretty good with "purple stuff" Purchased a few good wire brushed, both large and small, and they make a really nice parts cleaning brush that comes to a point. Great for the heard to reach areas. A couple of cans of brake cleaner also do wonders for getting the grime in those hard to reach places. That should get you pretty clean. I used a couple of light coats from plasticoat (metallic) and the motor looks great.
Real nice paint.

[Toy4Chris]

DITTO: You will need a few nice brushed...and alot of elbow grease. Seems like the more you clean, the more comes off, no matter how many times you go through it.
The plasticoat paint worked well for me as well.

Chris

[GTOYANKEE1970]

If the motor is out of the car, you can pick up a can of aerosol paint stripper at any auto parts store that carries automotive paint supplies, usually most people will use a 1K type paint like spray bombs of Plasticoat or Duplicolor on their engines, it come off very easy, then just rinse well with water and dry. Make sure you wear thick plastic gloves to protect your hands. My guess would be if it isn't covered in oil or grease you should be able to have it completely stripped and dried and ready for paint in a couple of hours.
I like a catalized 2 or 3 part type paint
(paint, hardener, reducer) for my engines. It lasts for ever and always looks fresh.

John

[Bill H]

Here is some engine paint information just in case you need it.

http://fiedlerh.home.att.net/enginecolor.htm

[buckeyeinwy]

gtoyankee1970, Thanks for your reply. As you mentioned (I failed to), the engine is out of the car. A couple of questions, you mention 1k type paint. What exactly is that and how do I look for that in a paint? You also mention a catalized 2 or 3 part paint, do you have a recommended manufacturer? Thanks in advance...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gtoyankee1970:
If the motor is out of the car, you can pick up a can of aerosol paint stripper at any auto parts store that carries automotive paint supplies, usually most people will use a 1K type paint like spray bombs of Plasticoat or Duplicolor on their engines, it come off very easy, then just rinse well with water and dry. Make sure you wear thick plastic gloves to protect your hands. My guess would be if it isn't covered in oil or grease you should be able to have it completely stripped and dried and ready for paint in a couple of hours.
I like a catalized 2 or 3 part type paint
(paint, hardener, reducer) for my engines. It lasts for ever and always looks fresh.

John </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[buckeyeinwy]

Thanks for the replies. I have a much better understanding and feel good about my concern with sandblasting. Thanks again all....

[jackk]

I just ran across your question and noticed you mentioned that the block was an "odd color blue" There is some question as to the correct original color of Pontiac engines around that year. It seems the original color was darker but as it aged it turned to a kind of blue-green color over the years. just thought this might help.

[captain42082]

I hav had good results using oven cleaner for initial cleaning-takes the grease and gunk off pretty well,is cheaper than some of the so called degreasers

[Mark C.]

Painted my 76 bolck with Hirsch Automotive paint. The color was an exact match to the factory paint. I still have the vavle covers that I've never repainted to compare to. I highly recomend the Hirsch paint. Just my .02

[Sport71]

I've also heard good things about Hirsch auto paints. But on their web site, they have Pontiac engine colors for 1966-1972 grouped together ("Pontiac Metallic Blue"). The color changed between '70 and '71. Does anyone know if they have the correct light blue for '71 and on?

[Department X]

Last week i had some real nasty heads that had been sitting on my shelf for at least 10 years. They were so nasty you could barely see the springs. I sat them in front of my 2400psi pres washer and good by grime. I then sprayed them with oven cleaner and shot them again ,clean bare metal, who needs a hot tank.

[Ryche400]

Sorry to jump in on some one else's post, but I have a similar question. Has anyone found out how to prevent the heads from burning the paint off? Every Pontiac engine Ive had has had this problem. It burns or fades close to the exhaust ports.

[Jack Gifford]

A reply on the "exhaust" forum a while back had a recommendation for this. Rather than search for it, I'll repeat what I remember:
Use Eastwood's stainless steel paint on those areas of the heads (on clean bare metal), then a light coating of color over that; touch up with later light coats of color as it discolors.
I've never tried this, but I will soon. I do know from experience that the stainless paint is truly impervious to the heat.