Topic: Engine stripping

[BBs70fastback]

What is the best way to strip rattle can paint from an engine that is out of the car but has already been rebuilt?

When my engine came back from a local re-builder, he thought he was helping me by spraying everything with a no-name dark blue rattle can paint.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him he didn’t help me at all.  The valve covers, oil pan, and intake manifold are all on the engine and everything was coated.  I had planned to spray the engine with catalyzed paint in ford corporate blue, and have read it would be bad to try to paint over the top of the spray can finish.  (My dad and son-in-law have both said that I should rattle can the correct color over the top of the existing finish because it will be a nightmare getting the paint out of all the cracks.  However, I want the more durable finish if possible).

So, do I just use paint stripper to strip off the unwanted finish?  If stripper is the way to go, will the stripper hurt the head gaskets or anything else?  Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks, Barry

[bryancobb]

I wouldn't apply any paint stripper.  I just feel you could never get it out of all the nooks and crannies.

I have a wand sprayer that hooks to the air compressor.  It has a suction line to pick up a liquid and atomize it.  I use lacquer thinner in it all the time to do things like you are needing to do.

If I were in your situation, I'd get 5 gal of lacquer thinner and keep spraying the engine and rotating it on the stand.  My guess  is that when you run out of thinner, they'll be a puddle of blue on the floor and the engine will be bare.

[Bob Gaines]

I wouldn't apply any paint stripper.  I just feel you could never get it out of all the nooks and crannies.

I have a wand sprayer that hooks to the air compressor.  It has a suction line to pick up a liquid and atomize it.  I use lacquer thinner in it all the time to do things like you are needing to do.

If I were in your situation, I'd get 5 gal of lacquer thinner and keep spraying the engine and rotating it on the stand.  My guess  is that when you run out of thinner, they'll be a puddle of blue on the floor and the engine will be bare.

I agree with the lacquer bath .I use the spray gun loaded with lacquer also. I would also add that you will need some stiff bristle plastic brushes to help the thicker deposits of paint along. small for the cracks and hard to get to crevices and a little larger for the wider areas. Spray on work with brushes spray off and start again . Where glasses and of course be in a well ventilated area because you can really get a bad high from the fumes besides the explosion /fire issue. Bob

[cobrajetchris]

You will find that fresh rattle can paint will wash off very easy with lacquer thinner. I sometimes will soak a shop towel with thinner and drape it over the part and it will bubble up real quick.

[BBs70fastback]

Awesome tips!  Thanks for the help.  I see a dark blue mess in my future