What’s the best way to paint a set of twin cam cylinders black?

[838]

Going for the old fashion  look of all black cylinders with silver heads. What's a good way to black out (wrinkle black) the barrels that won't fade or chip?

Thanks

[hbkeith]

i always use HD engine paint in a spray can , easy touch up if ever needed , holds up well . sure lots will say powder coat

[rigidthumper]

HD Texture Black, on well cleaned cylinders, seems to last as long as anything else.

[wfolarry]

X3  HD paint

[Don D]

Heat them up a bit before applying and be sure they are 100% oil free. Spray them down with acetone or lacquer thinner first.

[MikeL]

A professional powder coat job but if you can't HD rattle can wrinkle black. Preheat in an oven 250 to 300f remove and spray away. When cool sand off the fin edges using a rubber sanding block and course emery paper.
I did the same paint scheme on my RKC 124. I got the heads powder coated silver no corrosion now. Looks good the old timers like it.

                                                                                                                                                                    MIKE

[Hossamania]

A professional powder coat job but if you can't HD rattle can wrinkle black. Preheat in an oven 250 to 300f remove and spray away. When cool sand off the fin edges using a rubber sanding block and course emery paper.
I did the same paint scheme on my RKC 124. I got the heads powder coated silver no corrosion now. Looks good the old timers like it.

                                                                                                                                                                    MIKE

I think 838 is going for the all black look, no sanding on the fins.

[Flhfxd]

I did this to my 94 EVO when I rebuilt the engine in 2016. Clean everything up real well, heat the jugs in the oven, hang them up with stiff wire and spray. Looks good.  I used PJ1 wrinkle paint and it's holding up well.

[88b]

If you want matt finish ive had good luck with BBQ paint .

[838]

A professional powder coat job but if you can't HD rattle can wrinkle black. Preheat in an oven 250 to 300f remove and spray away. When cool sand off the fin edges using a rubber sanding block and course emery paper.
I did the same paint scheme on my RKC 124. I got the heads powder coated silver no corrosion now. Looks good the old timers like it.

                                                                                                                                                                    MIKE

I think 838 is going for the all black look, no sanding on the fins.

👍 with silver/blonde heads... thanks for the tips all.

[boooby1744]

If the fins are polished an etching primer might bea good idea.

[Norton Commando]

I did this to my 94 EVO when I rebuilt the engine in 2016. Clean everything up real well, heat the jugs in the oven, hang them up with stiff wire and spray. Looks good.  I used PJ1 wrinkle paint and it's holding up well.

I, too, have used PJ1 paint with excellent results.

Jason

[72fl]

If you are not removing them, I alway's used a straw like the type on a brakleen or carb cleaner can and sprayed in between the fin's with high temp 1500 barbecue paint then heat cycle them a few time's

[Helmwurst]

First of all , send your wife away for the weekend. Prep cylinders, pre-heat in the oven to about 150F, paint , cure in oven and then set out overnight for additional curing. Bake cookies in oven to cover up the smell of the paint and throw them away. I would not suggest eating them. She gets home does not smell the paint in her oven and you have a great looking set of blacked out cylinders. Been there done that !

[838]

First of all , send your wife away for the weekend. Prep cylinders, pre-heat in the oven to about 150F, paint , cure in oven and then set out overnight for additional curing. Bake cookies in oven to cover up the smell of the paint and throw them away. I would not suggest eating them. She gets home does not smell the paint in her oven and you have a great looking set of blacked out cylinders. Been there done that !

My wife is away this weekend:

What is the best way to prep?

How long in oven pre paint and at what temp?

How long in oven post paint and what temp?

Thanks!

[kd]

How about what kind of cookies?

[838]

How about what kind of cookies?

 

[Helmwurst]

Don't remember the temperatures, I just followed the instructions on the can. I do remember heating them up to about 110 degree F. Choc Chip, what other kind are there !??

[FXDL4ME]

If you want matt finish ive had good luck with BBQ paint .

+1....I've had great results with that.

[838]

Heat them up a bit before applying and be sure they are 100% oil free. Spray them down with acetone or lacquer thinner first.

What's the best way to clean the oil off? Do you spray them with acetone or lacquer thinner to clean the oil off, Then heat, Then paint, then heat again??
Should I prep the fins in any way if they are polished. The cylinders will be all black when done... no polished fins.

Thanks

[boooby1744]

Whatever chemical you use to degrease,I'd still wash it off with Dawn after air drying.self etching primer on the polished fins. I never heat metal to be painted over 75-80*, but I use rattle cans.

[838]

With self etching on bare metal would you have to use a second primer before painting?

[boooby1744]

I never did.

[HighLiner]

How'd they turn out?

[838]

I never did.

Is it ok if the self etching primer gets on the painted portions of the fins? These cylinders are going from dark grey to black, so I want to eliminate as much potential for the paint to fade as possible.