I have an Electra Glide. The previous owner used a pressure washer for years on the engine. So now all the paint is blown off except a few areas he touched up with some grill paint. Any ideas as to how I can repaint the engine with it on the bike? Also what paint do I use? Thanks

Wally

 

Bumping this up for ya...

I'd be interested in the response as well... I purchased a 93 softail used, and a lot of the black on the motor is flaked off. Worst case, I've been thinking of getting a spray can of wrinkle black hi-temp engine paint and re-painting the whole engine over the winter, but I'd be interested in any other suggestions...

 

Looks like you can use any hi-temp engine paint, then clean the fin edges off easy enough with steel wool or a dremel with a wire brush.

It's pulling the motor that will suck. Well that and pulling all the chrome bits off.

I suppose you could blast the rest with a pressure washer, then spend several hours with a small painbrush or airbrush. Timewise, you might still be ahead, but the look wouldn't be the same.

 

I thought about taking as much off as I could (exhaust, air cleaner, etc.) and then masking off the rest to protect against overspray. Probably wouldn't be as good as pulling the motor and re-painting or powdercoating everything, but I'm hoping it would look fairly decent. Potential winter project...

 

Surface prep is the key.

 

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Prepping the substrate (engine) is the key step in any coating application. Surface contaminates should be removed with a solvent. The original surface profile should be sufficient, no need to abrasive blast, unless you were shooting for a show like condition.

 

How old is the scooter? I'd be a bit suspect about the condition of numerous parts if the previous owner insisted on pressure washing the bike. Especially the wheel bearings! And especially since the previous owner managed to peel paint with the washer.

 

I had a 1993 FXLR with the same problem. H-D makes a high temp black paint specifically for the motor. I simply sprayed all the areas that needed blackened. I used a piece of cardboard as a shield for areas I wanted to avoid. I then took a rag with laquer thinner or acetone and wiped off any overspray. I used a scotch brite pad to clean the surfaces of the fins on the motor. Looked great when I was all finished.

 

Sounds easy enough. You don't have any pictures of how it turned out do you?

 

Get a pint can of STOVE BLACK. Yep, the same stuff you use on heating stoves, most hardware or paint stores carry it. I've used it with great success on several bikes. Brush it on and then scuff fin edges lightly with sandpaper. Makes engine look brand new and lasts for years.