Paint prep

[Alan Wilkinson 1Participant @alanwilkinson1]

Hi a query for you paint experts, I have made a traction engine steam chest from bar cast iron ,the covers are bronze, studs and nuts steel. what prep is needed for painting I Have high heat paint stove paint but it says nothing about priming or what ever The chest covers etc are bronze what do I need for them or would you just black the block and polish up the bronze ATB Alan

[Alan Wilkinson 1Participant @alanwilkinson1]

CI steam chest

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

If you are talking about stove enamel then. My Dad had an electrical shop & used to recondition the old Hoover vacs. The body was alloy. All he did was use a Alloy etch which was a yucky looking yellow stuff. Then paint straight on with no primer as such. I myself have been painting for many years but on cars & motorcycles. Not sure about painting onto cast. If you are using high heat paint then I cannot see any point in using a primer, as long as the parts are super clean. There must be someone along shortly to give you a definitive answer to this.

Steve.

[Graham StoppaniParticipant @grahamstoppani46499]

Dan Gelbart has some interesting things to say about surface prep. for painting on YouTube

Den Gelbart: Building Prototypes part 6 of 18

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by Steviegtr on 01/03/2020 00:02:27:

If you are talking about stove enamel then. My Dad had an electrical shop & used to recondition the old Hoover vacs. The body was alloy. All he did was use a Alloy etch which was a yucky looking yellow stuff. Then paint straight on with no primer as such. I myself have been painting for many years but on cars & motorcycles. Not sure about painting onto cast. If you are using high heat paint then I cannot see any point in using a primer, as long as the parts are super clean. There must be someone along shortly to give you a definitive answer to this.

Steve.

Possibly zinc chromate primer, used to prime aluminium aeroplanes back in the olden times. I tried it on an aluminium garage door, didn't work all that well

[Perko7Participant @perko7]

More years ago than I care to remember I overhauled a side-valve Ford Prefect engine. Painted the whole block and head (both cast iron) with 'Engine Enamel' which was a supposedly temperature-resistant paint. Went on neat, no primer or undercoat required. I had already cleaned the block using kerosene and a stiff brush followed by soapy water. Paint was still in good condition when I foolishly sold the car 20 years later. Perhaps the vintage car and motorcyle owners in this forum could suggest a modern alternative?

[John RutzenParticipant @johnrutzen76569]

Great video Graham you posted a link to. I learnt more about why my paint doesn't stick from that than from anywhere else!

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

You can get zinc spray primer that's good for 300C

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