Painting Engine Compartment
 

What are you guys using to paint engine compartments?
It is exposed so I want some color; white is fine.
I was using a spray appliance epoxy from WalMart.
It seemed to work fine but after a year I noticed it bubbling.
I am recovering the plane so now is the time to repaint.
I tried dope - not happy.
Thanks for the info and help,
KW_Counter

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

First you close the nuts and holes with wax dripping from a candle than sand the firewall so it will be even,
Than you mix 30 min epoxy and spread it all over the engine compartment with epoxy brush and a heat gun again so it will be even,
At this stage its sealed.
then you can paint it with midwest aerogloss or some other paint that stands well the oil and fuel.
can do without the heat gun but its more beautiful with, I also see that at tower the aerogloss paints are out of stock....[:o]
can also thin the epoxy with alcohol but I didnt try that.

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

I generally just coat the bare wood with brushable finishing epoxy. On the few occasions that I've wanted some color I use whatever paint I have on hand such as Krylon, Model Master, etc., let it dry really good then do the finishing epoxy over that to seal it. You can also try Top Flite Lusterkote clear or colored spray paint.

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

I had a bunch of epoxy from Anchor Bond, and they had some coloring paste available (white, yellow, red, blue, black). It got mixed into the resin, then the hardener was added. It seemed to work pretty well. Color and fuel proofing in one step.

As far as I can tell, Anchor Bond epoxy is no longer available, and I am out of resin and hardener. I still have most of the colored pastes. I'll probably try mixing it with another brand to see if it works.

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

I've used epoxy spread over the area, then primed it and just shot it with krylon.

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

I always paint the bare wood with Rustoleum paint FIRST, then coat the entire painted compartment with unthinned 30-minute epoxy and an epoxy brush. Looks good and stays looking good.

Don't forget to paint the entire tank compartment with 30-minute epoxy, including the back of the firewall .

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

I even seal with epoxy, and paint all my profile engine rails. Looks nice and keeps the fuel from saturating the rails
jerrysu29 Call Sign Wild Man

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

An old timer told me he would add coloring to epoxy glue and use that as fuel proofing firewalls and engine boxes, etc... K&B Epoxy paint works very well...too bad they dont make it any more ...I have used Zap finishing resin it works beautifully too, i add a tiny bit of acetone to thin it out

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

Dope and fuel proofer ;)

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

So far....on my beginner planes and such I've just colored the whole area with a black felt marker until its dark enough and then thinned 15 minute epoxy over top... All nice and protected and shiny as can be...

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

Something like Klass Kote might work well too although it is pricey if you just use it for firewalls and stuff.

http://www.klasskote.com/

RE: Painting Engine Compartment
 

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all of the tips.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter