Painted engine components... Why?

[Poche]

Originally Posted by SeaHarlequin

Oh, that's brilliant. I think you're right given the PO's attention to detail around the engine; that makes sense! Thank you for that information.

I understand why those two dots on the engine block would be ideal targets for measuring internal temperature but do you know why the only other targets were stainless steel components? Is there something inherent to SS itself or is it because they're attached to internals?

If you are curious paint a small surface on the bare stainless and compare readings with the IR thermometer on the bare.
Incidentally, I just purchased a handheld IR thermometer for $10. Works fine for what I need.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I kinda assume it was the high temp paint he had. Gold Universal paint from Westerbeke costs a $#@&*÷@ fortune.

Copper colored paint by Rustoleum is close enough. I use a spray in hammered finish.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-21.../dp/B000C0175U

It's a little bit darker, but I don't care.

[basssears]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Copper colored paint by Rustoleum is close enough. I use a spray in hammered finish.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-21.../dp/B000C0175U

It's a little bit darker, but I don't care.

Any problems with temperature when using that on your engine?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by StuM

Targets with the correct emissivity for accurate readings with an IR thermometer to monitor engine termperatures?

Many times I've painted flat black spots on refinery equipment in order to get spot readings. It works. It also generates questions.

[DougR]

Maybe he painted the freeze plugs on the exhaust manifold because they were weeping or rusting....they certainly don't run very hot on a raw water cooled manifold mounted on a raw water cooled engine.

I think he made a mistake painting the spark plugs black. Everyone knows that spark plugs painted bright red run better!