Engine paint to use

[Cpt Mark]

Hi,

My engines need a paint job badly. Will clean them up and Ospho them before painting, rattle can.

I can buy at any big box store engine, heat rated pain for xxx dollars or I can buy the manufacturers paint for a whole lot more dollars. Is there really a difference?

Yanmars if that makes a difference

Thanks,

Mark

[nightowle]

Unless a paint expert chimes in, I'd say that Yanmar isn't in the paint business so a better-known paint brand easily obtainable is probably just as good to use.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by nightowle

Unless a paint expert chimes in, I'd say that Yanmar isn't in the paint business so a better-known paint brand easily obtainable is probably just as good to use.

Indeed.
Most good quality engine paints use an acrylic enamel formulation, that provides an attractive hard glossy finish, and superior heat resistance - with the ability to handle higher temperatures [up to 300°➛500°F].

FWIW: I like POR-15 Engine Enamel high temperature engine paint, good to 300°F.
➥ https://por15.com/products/engine-enamel

For extreme temperature requirements, over 300°F, use POR-15 High Temp DTM paint.
➥ https://por15.com/products/high-temp

Rust-Oleum make a 500° Engine Enamel

[Tin Tin]

What $ difference are you talking about between Yanmar Grey and a good quality after market marine engine paint.

[capt jgw]

Unless I was trying match colors, I'd go with a commercial hi temp paint. Likely better quality than the OEM anyway.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

What $ difference are you talking about between Yanmar Grey and a good quality after market marine engine paint.

For touch-ups:
A 12oz can of Yanmar charcoal gray paint costs about $22.
A 12 oz can of Dupli-Color DE1615-6 PK Engine Enamel Spray paint costs about $12
A 12 oz. Can of Rust-Oleum Gloss Black Engine Enamel Spray Paint costs about $10
Por-15's smallest size is 1 quart, at about $90 [equivalent to $34/12oz].

[AiniA]

If you get lucky an auto store paint will match the engine colour. Ford red engine paint is very close to Westerbeke red for example. Don't know about Yammer.

[GordMay]

I’ve read that Yanmar engine spray paint is a custom label, made by Raabe [a subsidiary of Quest Specialty Chemicals Inc], called "Precision Color".

[Lou-In-NJ]

If you're painting your engine, consider a lighter color, it's a lot easier to see and find leaks and just generally work on it when everything is brighter. Caterpillar yellow would be my choice!

[Cpt Mark]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Yellow? Interesting. Saw 1 guy who had a color of the year. Started out one color engine. Every time he worked on something he'd paint that part the color of the year so he always knew when he did things.

Going to go Rustoleum. Tried and true.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Cpt Mark

Thank you all for your thoughts. Yellow? Interesting. Saw 1 guy who had a color of the year. Started out one color engine. Every time he worked on something he'd paint that part the color of the year so he always knew when he did things.

Going to go Rustoleum. Tried and true.

I just write the date on it with a marker.

Right about the lighter colors, though. I have Perkins engines which come in a medium blue color but the builder or PO painted them white. Brightens up the engine room and leaks are easy to find. And I know the PO replaced a couple parts because they are still the original blue.