HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Iron Head => Topic started by: sharkoilfield on November 12, 2020, 06:48:16 AM

Title: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: sharkoilfield on November 12, 2020, 06:48:16 AM
Just about ready to do a makeover on my 1974 XLCH; is there a high temp ceramic paint I can use on the cylinders/heads to get them back to black?  I don't plan to disassemble the motor this winter; just refurbish the brakes, carb and paint tank and fenders. Will also give the running gear a very close going over.  The motor; well, I'd like to ride the bike a bunch more next season then decide if it needs to come out and go to the only guy I'd trust in Canada with an Ironhead. Sending it off to the USA is, unfortunately, NOT an option.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Buglet on November 12, 2020, 07:46:38 AM
   Your best bet is to get High Temp paint from Harley That's seems to work the best and hold up. Over the years I've tried just about ever paint out there and away ended up going back to the Harley paint.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Burnout on November 12, 2020, 10:19:47 AM
It's likely that any paint you put on an assembled motor will not stay put.

Nothing looks worse to me than a respray gone wrong.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Buglet on November 12, 2020, 11:30:56 AM
   If you take your time and prep it right you will have no problem  . The main time is taking your time and it does take time. I did a couple years back and they held up good. One of the biggest time consuming is taping ever thing off. The only thing you should take off is the top motor mount, carb, exhaust, and the pushrods.     
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Hossamania on November 12, 2020, 12:55:21 PM
We painted a frame with the engine and most ancillary pieces still installed (minus tank and fenders), a lot of tape, a week of drinking, taping, and sanding, so you should be able to do the motor.
Prep, prep, prep.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: sharkoilfield on November 14, 2020, 06:52:19 AM
Is there a specific brand of brush on paint anyone's recommending?
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: JW113 on November 15, 2020, 10:24:11 AM
I can't imagine any type of brushed on paint to not look awful. Buglet is on the money, get HD's Texturized Black. It ain't cheap, but it does stick and looks great.

-JW
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Hillside Motorcycle on December 18, 2020, 04:06:10 AM
Quote from: sharkoilfield on November 12, 2020, 06:48:16 AM
Just about ready to do a makeover on my 1974 XLCH; is there a high temp ceramic paint I can use on the cylinders/heads to get them back to black?  I don't plan to disassemble the motor this winter; just refurbish the brakes, carb and paint tank and fenders. Will also give the running gear a very close going over.  The motor; well, I'd like to ride the bike a bunch more next season then decide if it needs to come out and go to the only guy I'd trust in Canada with an Ironhead. Sending it off to the USA is, unfortunately, NOT an option.

Any automotive parts store has high-temp engine paint.
We use a satin black on most Iron XL stuff that comes thru here.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Buglet on December 18, 2020, 05:44:40 AM
  In 45 plus years of doing this I have yet to find any paint that works and last like the Harley paint. I think I've try ever brand out there maybe I miss 1 or 2.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Hillside Motorcycle on December 21, 2020, 04:14:21 AM
Glass beaded to remove the loose stuff and prepped, automotive engine paint works absolutely fine.
Been using just that since the late 1970's.
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: Buglet on December 21, 2020, 06:24:11 AM
    The paint in the 70's wasn't bad, what brand are you using now I might have to try it.   
Title: Re: Cylinder/head paint
Post by: bobrk1 on April 04, 2021, 04:30:28 AM
I   had  the  heads and  cylinder  on my  bike  painted blue , I  just  went  to  speed .shop and  bought  header  paint . Worked good