So I did a search and couldn't quite find what I was looking for..
Does anybody have any opinions on engine paint in terms of quality? And also, how would I go about getting the best protection for my engine once I clean all the rust off? Does anybody make primer and/or top coats to use besides the actual spray paint?
Also, I'm repainting the engine compartment as well - should I use high-temp paint as well?
I really want to protect everything from rust as much as possible, I think because it's the biggest problem with my car right now.

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<i>D'Artagnan</i>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/stephaniexchaos/dart/th_IMG_0326_zpsumhhfxi0.jpg">

The correct colour for your engine in '65 is red. See detailed info here, here, and here.

Correct paint treatment for the engine bay is body colour, not black (yours is not a Chevrolet). Of course, if you want to paint it black, it's obviously your car and your choice...I just mention this because it's easy to fall into the practice of going along with what "everybody knows" (when all anybody knows is what a '66 Shove-a-lot or Fraud paint scheme is). You don't need high-temp paint for the engine compartment.

As far as painting itself, the most critical factors are getting the base metal clean-clean-clean and applying paint under favourable conditions. Cold and damp isn't so good. Warm and dry is much better. I've had generally better results painting engines without primer. And many thin coats are better than fewer heavy coats. There's a lot of good advice in the Petersen book described in this thread...got it yet?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Stephanie,

When I rebuilt my engine last fall I ordered the Chrysler blue color from POR-15. It is a rust preventative paint and has an interesting primer process. I have been using these paints for several years now in restoration of my car but had never tried the engine paints. They give a very smooth durable finish and I see no signs of cracking or chipping like you get with Krylon or others.

Check out www.por15.com and look under engine enamels. It sounds like your doing a meticulous job on the engine. I know how much fun it is to have a great running motor and having it look good too. I really enjoy my engine and love driving my Dart. Most folks don't think I have a six under the hood. When I open the hood they just and go wow! It looks nice, runs great and sounds snappy and powerful.

Doctor Dodge and Dan have been allot of help with countless in-depth details...

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Stephanie,

As Ted, I use POR stuff. I have also painted with spray can paint called "Plasti Kote" with great results. Engines don't need primer. If you use the POR stuff on your engine compartment ( I did) take the extra trouble to use their phosphoric acid etch and iron oxide convertor. It is in a spray bottle. I wrote in this forum a while back about POR products and have used them for my body off restoration, then like it so much I do most of my parts with it. POR is not really a paint nor is it an epoxy, it is about the best of both. It is about as thin as water and a quart at about $35 will do a very large area. Beleive them when they say if it gets on you it will have to grow off. I put mine on with cheap brushes from Harbor Freight and use the radiator brush for really tough to get into places like inside crossmembers and engine mounts.
rock
'64d100.

I'm a fan of the POR 15 having used it for many years on all diffrent things.You can prep your block following their system and apply the por 15 primer.Then if you decide that you want to rattle can on top, all you have to do is allow the POR 15 to dry to the point that you can drag your finger across ot with some resistance but not fully dry,Now apply your rattle can paint in2-4 light coats.Overnight cure and top coat becomes inbraced in the POR and gives a very durable finish.
I recently used Plastic Coat new Cermaic engine paint and primer on my new motor and am very impressed.But time will tell if the durabiity is as good as the Por 15 system.As far a painting under the hood,most Mopars are body color,but like they said it's your car.For me the only way to go is remove EVERYTHING,wires.lines,clips ect.Then bring to you local sand blaster and have it blasted,followed by a coat of epoxy sealer,reapply any missing seam sealer,apply another coat of sealer then top coat with any good automotive paint.It should be a caytalized type paint for shine and durability.Then clean and detail everything before it goes bac on,takes time but the end result is very nice and looks better the rattle can paint and overspray all over everythingI'll try and post a photo of how mine turned out.

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SOOOOO much money spent and I keep gettin' told that I could have had a V-8