Painting cast head
 

I'm thinking about painting my cast heads on the car with a small brush. I think I can do it but, I am concerned about the spark plug area. My orginial thought was to put old plugs in and paint, but I don't think I can get the entire plug area.

Anyone do this? Any suggestions?

Ps: I have bolts and would be painting them same as head

Re: Painting cast head
 

In the past, I have cut little tape circles for the plug holes. I was spraying the engine, but I think it would work fine for brushing as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...A/DSCN2665.jpg

Re: Painting cast head
 

Don't know what you mean by "entire plug area".
Nothing wrong with using old plugs painting only to the plug washer.
Should not paint under the washer.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Neal that is one beautiful engine. While your tape looks like a perfect fit - I'd be afraid paint would get behind the tape.

51merc - ok I think that is best safest way for me to go.

One more question. I cleaned off all the dirt on the head, but around the plug is really tough to clean. Any suggestions for cleaning that area (really the base of the plug at the plug washer.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Small roterty wire brush?

Re: Painting cast head
 

I've used old plugs for painting heads with brush or spray. Has always worked well for me. Still have the painted plugs in my plug collection incase I need to do more painting :).

Re: Painting cast head
 

Aluminum foil woks great to protect small parts you don't want to get paint on. Much easier to remove than tape.

Re: Painting cast head
 

As the norm with this site all great advise.

Additional tips/tricks will be much appreciated.

Re: Painting cast head
 

There may also be small corks available at hobby or craft stores for the plug holes. I would put an aluminum foil boot on the cork so particulate wouldn't fall into the piston bore. But having said all that, I would put an old set of spark plugs in and paint. Have fun!

Re: Painting cast head
 

For others that may want to paint heads. Just read on Bill Hirsch paint site, one should wait two weeks after painting (before driving) for paint to cure.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Same as JM 35. I used plugs and the saved them. Also, I have a bunch of the chrome head nut covers to help around them. They clean up well after using them.

Re: Painting cast head
 

We have some paper plugs for the spark plug holes that are used for delivering newly built units.

They fit directly into the plug holes and come in 14mm (PG-420) and 18mm (PG-421) for various plug sizes! Easily removed when necessary.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. They are mfd by Pioneer Products, should be relatively easy to find. We get them by the "hundred's"! See the photo below.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Neal, what sort of paint is that? That is pretty!

Re: Painting cast head
 

I purchased the paint yesterday. I went with Roy Nacewicz. While his site really specializes in Ford bolts, he also sells the proper color paint for our flatties.

Roy answered the phone and I was pleasently surprised how knowledgeable he was about ford flatheads. I probably spent a good half hour talking engine paint & about head bolts vs studs.

The call ended with him saying "feel free to call anytime with questions and even if your not in the market to purchase anything"

A true professional, a pleasure to chat with and a very knowledgeable individual. I highly recommend if your in the need of bolts or engine paint, give him a call.

Re: Painting cast head
 

For anyone who is thinking about painting the engine on the car. Please see photos attached.

I was more than a little nervous on how this would come out but....I found if your very careful, take your time and tape off any areas that are close to areas needing paint, the process is fairly easy. Using old spark plugs and good cleaning prep is very important.

Re: Painting cast head
 

That came out great. I just did a similar thing to my engine and it made all the difference under the hood.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Another good option for plug holes are silicone plugs, they are inexpensive and reusable.. Available at powder coating supply houses( such as Eastwood ). I have a whole kit that works well for all types of painting.

Re: Painting cast head
 

I remember years ago a friend who was a stripper had a 40 Merc with a hot engine, his engine was black and he had painted flames coming out of each spark plug holes. Really sharp. Walt

Re: Painting cast head
 

Could he have been a custom painter or was his name Magic Mike?

Re: Painting cast head
 

I used pennys . They pop right out when you crank it over. SUNSHINE

Re: Painting cast head
 

To clean spark plug holes: old terry cloth rag dipped in lacquer thinner. Then pick the right size digit and do the ol' "finger wave" (like your family doctor) complete with rubber glove. Now that cleans with out leaving anything behind, including overspray.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Upon reading the initial post my concern was brush painting vs. spray painting a uniform thickness of paint into the spark plug hole depressions. I have never spray painted engine heads but have dealt with the care needed in spray painting convex and concave surfaces. Regardless, it sounds like you "sprayers" have had no problems in doing the spark plug hole task. I'm old fashioned and my personal preference for this kind of task remains with brush painting since it reduces or eliminates the time needed for masking work and gives me better control over paint thickness.

Re: Painting cast head
 

Now that I've painted heads with success and Drbrown brought up brush vs spray...

I'd like to re-paint the top of my radiator without removing it. Is there a good black paint for this that won't leave a brush mark?

Re: Painting cast head
 

I like the penny to.;)