MTFCA Forum

I need to paint a new aluminum head. Any suggestions appreciated.

Pat, I painted one about 6 months ago but considered an etching acid first. Then I decided to just use a high heat epoxy instead. So far no change in color or adherence.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 29, 2022 9:11 am

I need to paint a new aluminum head. Any suggestions appreciated.

Polish it and then clear coat, if desired, with high temp paint. Its easier than you think the process is simple, you need to be aggressive. Start with a grit heavy enough to remove casting bumps and marks, then move up to the next grit to remove the scratches made by the previous grit, repeat the process till your at 600 grit. Then clear coat with 2000 temp.
On a visit to see Elvan Townsend (he made many of the aluminum castings accessories and speedster builder the BULLET), I purchase this water outlet from him, when I mention polishing the letters, he proceeded to show me. Started with a medium coarse file to a fine one then sand paper. --
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That aggressive approach helped me proceed on my first attempt. This was done by hand, in about 4 hours. I was a bit cautious not knowing what to expect. Could do it now in 2-3hrs --
I intend to do a aluminum hogs head, I started to see how it would go with 100 grit just to see what to start with

This Z head has a cosmetic good finish and no corrosion. The engine is one of the darker shades of green, and the paint is in good, so I'd rather go ahead and paint the new head rather than polish it.

Zinc chromate primer will help to prevent electrolysis and chipping

You do need an etch primer suitable for aluminium as a base coat. After that, any usual paint will do. I use ordinary oil based enamel.

Allan from down under.

Either etching primer or epoxy will be a fine primer on aluminum.

Blast the head and use Zinc Chromate paint. Nothing else sticks to aluminum.

Paint with the paint of your choice. I manufacture the P aluminum high compression head. We use Duplicolor engine paint in our shop with no problems. Don't try to over engineer the project. Paint and Go. Have fun.

Paint generally does not last long. Why not just have an anodized aluminum cylinder head ?