A high-quality engine paint job can greatly enhance the appearance and presentation of a vehicle’s engine. Because of this, most show car owners will gladly spring for a custom paint job for their engine blocks in order to take their vehicle to the next level with the additional WOW factor that completes their overall presentation.
Although the painting of engines is generally done mostly for aesthetic purposes, there are also a few practical purposes for which one might consider painting an engine and its components. For example, for engine blocks that are made of cast iron, applying an engine paint can help to prevent against the formation of rust, and certain colors may even provide additional benefits regardless of the metal of which the engine block is made. Using darker colors, especially black, can help to provide for better heat dissipation, which allows an engine to cool off much more quickly after being powered off. Some people have used lighter colors such as white as a means for being able to easily identify and locate leaks when they occur. This is clearly beneficial toward being able to quickly address problems as they arise, and before they potentially become worse.
How to Find the Best Paint for Engine Block
Regardless of what one’s motivation to paint an engine may be, anybody who is considering painting an engine needs to make sure to use the proper type of paint. Not every paint is suitable to withstand the extreme operating conditions and high temperatures generated by engines. Other environmental factors such as salt, rust, corrosion, and automotive chemicals and fluids also make most types of paints a poor choice for use on engines.
In consideration of all this, I have compiled this review of the best engine paints in order to help you determine the paint or paints that are best suited to your specific needs.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Engine Paints
- Best Choice: Dupli-color
- Rust-Oleum
- POR-15
- VHT
- PlastiKote
Best Engine Paints 2019
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Best Choice Dupli-color |
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Rust-Oleum |
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POR-15 |
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VHT |
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PlastiKote |
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1. Rust-Oleum: Best Value Enamel
This is a durable engine enamel offering from Rust-Oleum that brightens engines with a smooth and glossy finish. Rust-Oleum engine enamel is formulated to withstand intermittent high temperatures (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit), and to resist other environmental factors such as oil, gas, grease, rust, salt, humidity, and solvents. Rust-Oleum engine enamels are by far the least expensive products included in this review. The Rust-Oleum brand has been around since 1921, lending 97 years of experience and credibility to their products.
One of the important things to note about Rust-Oleum engine enamel is that unlike many of the competitor brands, these engine enamels do not have to be heat cured for durability.
However, bear in mind that this enamel should be allowed to fully dry before subjecting it to the extreme heats from an engine. The drawback to this is that Rust-Oleum engine enamel may take up to a full week to fully cure.
Rust-Oleum engine enamel is available in an assortment of 15 different colors, including exact color matches for some popular Chevy, Ford, Dodge, and Chrysler colors. See the table above for a full list of available colors.
- Rust-Oleum engine enamels are the most inexpensive of all products reviewed, by far
- These paints resists very high temps (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit)
- The spray nozzle is designed to work from any angle
- Rust-Oleum specifies additional protection against environmental factors such as salt spray, rust, oil and grease
- Rust-Oleum engine enamels require a long drying time, taking up to 7 days to fully cure
- In light of the long drying time, if these paints are subjected to heat before fully curing, undesirable problems such as blistering may arise
- If the Rust-Oleum products are applied without being fully shaken first, undesirable problems may arise during application
2. POR-15: Best Surface Area Coverage Enamel
Formualated by RestoMotive Laboratories, POR-15 engine enamels contain extra pigment in order to obtain incredibly rich colors that easily flow and provide better, longer lasting coverage for engines. Plus, these paints are non-flammable and conform to the strictest environmental standards, such as those regulated under California law. POR-15 engine enamel holds up against high temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this is the most expensive engine enamel on this list, the POR-15 product also goes further than the competition in regards to the surface area it can cover.
Per the POR-15 company website, a pint is typically enough paint for an entire engine. As such, most POR-15 colors are sold in pints (only Chevy Orange and Black are available in quarts).
POR-15 Engine Painting Kit
For convenience and simplicity, POR-15 offers a complete engine painting kit that contains everything needed to complete the job. The POR-15 engine painting kit includes POR-15 Solvent, Cleaner Degreaser, and Metal Prep to handle all of the preliminary preparation work. The kit also comes with paint brushes, POR-15 Black Engine Enamel, and a POR-15 Engine Enamel in the color of choice, for completion of the actual paint job. To top it off, latex surgical gloves and a safety face mask are included in order to help protect the skin and the lungs of the user while performing the job.
POR-15 engine enamel is available in 20 different colors, including exact color matches for some popular Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, Ford, Chrysler, Jeep, AMC, MG, and Austin Healey colors. See the table above for a full list of available colors.
- POR-15 engine enamels feature the best surface area coverage among all products included in this review
- These products boast a long-lasting finish
- POR-15 engine enamels are the highest costing of all items included in this review, around 5x – 6x higher than the lowest costing item included in this review
- These products require application with a brush, so POR-15 is not as easy to apply as spray paints
- POR-15 engine enamels require a long dry time, between 4 – 6 days
- These products have a lower temperature resistance (up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit)
3. VHT: Best Durability and Heat Resistance Enamel
VHT engine enamels boast outstanding durability, providing superior resistance to both high heat and common automotive chemicals.
The very name VHT is an acronym meaning “Very High Temperature,” and the VHT engine enamels live up that name with the ability to withstand high temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
VHT engine enamels are also formulated to stand up against environmental factors such as corrosion, rust, salt, chemicals, degreasers, and gasoline additives. Per the VHT company website, these products utilize a unique blend of urethane and ceramic resins in order to ensure a long lasting finish under the most extreme conditions an engine may encounter.
VHT Engine Enamel must be properly heat cured in order to attain its unique properties. Baking painted parts at 200 degrees Fahrenheit is one way to cure the enamel, although curing can also be accomplished with the heat of the engine, which can be a time saver.
VHT engine enamel is available in 29 different colors, including exact color matches for some popular Chevy, Pontiac, GM, Ford, and Chrysler colors. See the table above for a full list of available colors.
- VHT products are sold in an easy to use spray paint application
- VHT paints boast the highest temperature resistance of items reviewed (up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit)
- VHT specifies additional protection against environmental factors such as corrosion, rust, salt spray, and gasoline additives
- Engine heat can be used for curing VHT engine enamels, lessening the downtime between applying the paint and driving
- VHT paints are sold in a smaller can than other spray paint applications
- VHT products cost around 2x – 3x more than the least expensive engine enamel in this review
4. PlastiKote
PlastiKote offers versatility beyond engines, and can be used on metal or wood, for projects suited toward indoor or outdoor purposes. So, for projects that utilize components of varying materials that require the same colors, this line of engine enamels should be taken into consideration. PlastiKote engine enamels can withstand repeated exposure to temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and will not weaken, crack, lift, or peel.
PlastiKote Engine enamels have lower gloss finishes than other engine enamels. This is something that is likely to appeal to some, but will also cause others to look elsewhere. For those looking for a high gloss finish, PlastiKote may not be the best option.
PlastiKote engine enamel is available in 25 different colors, including exact color matches for some popular Chevy, Pontiac, GM, Ford, Cummins, and Chrysler colors. See the table above for a full list of available colors.
- PlastiKote engine enamel is sold in an easy to use spray paint application
- These products are resistant to common engine fluids such as gasoline, oil, etc.
- PlastiKote paints are highly resistant to UV and water, so the colors will not fade or yellow over time
- The spray cans use a wide spray pattern that may be more difficult to control for precision purposes
- PlastiKote products cost around 3x – 4x more than the least expensive engine enamel in this review
- PlastiKote does not specify protection against environmental factors such as salt spray
5. Dupli-Color: Best Engine Enamel
Ceramic resins contained in Duplicolor’s engine enamel formula allow for maximum heat dissipation and retention of the gloss finish. The resins allow for protection from exposure to temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit as well as protection from exposure to automotive fluids. Highly durable, this engine enamel will not blister, flake, crack, or peel, making it a popular choice among a range of automotive enthusiasts.
Dupli-Color engine enamels are quick to dry. After only 30 minutes they are dry to the touch, and painted parts are ready for handling after only 1 hour.
Dupli-Color engine enamel is available in 25 different colors, including exact color matches for some popular Chevy, Pontiac, GM, Ford, Cummins, Dodge, and Chrysler colors. See the table above for a full list of available colors.
- Dupli-Color engine enamels are sold in an easy to use spray paint application
- These products are resistant to very high temps (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Dupli-Color specs resistance to common automotive fluids such as gasoline, oil, etc.
- These products boast the best heat dissipating properties
- Dupli-Color engine enamels feature an extremely high gloss finish
- Dupli-Color engine enamels cost around 2x – 3x more than the least expensive engine enamel in this review
- Dupli-Color does not specify protection against environmental factors such as salt spray
Preparation and Safety
Never skip the prep work! Jumping straight into the painting step would be a huge mistake that produces disastrous results, as well as wasted time and money. After all, nobody wants to have to redo the work.
Before beginning, take into consideration that engines can be painted either while fully assembled or while broken down. For those of us who are mechanically inclined, the best results may come from breaking the engine down completely, which allows for precision application of the paints, and also aids in allowing paints to completely dry and cure properly. For most people though, in consideration of time constraints, painting engines while assembled is perfectly fine, and probably much more feasible, at least if completing the work themselves as opposed to outsourcing the job.
The very first step to take is to clean the engine, as painting over built-up grease, dirt, and peeling paint will not allow the new paint application to properly adhere. Use a quality degreaser to thoroughly remove built up grease and dirt. To achieve the best results, it is also best to remove all old paint that remains. Use a paint thinner for this purpose; however, at the very minimum, loose and peeling paint should be completely removed.
Once the engine is clean and dry, it is ready for painting. Some gearheads recommend beginning with a primer, such as a rust encapsulating primer, for better, longer lasting results. Others, such as this engine painting tutorial from NAPA, advise skipping the primer (at least for the engine block itself) in order to minimize the overall thickness of the paint. Engines use porous metals such as cast iron or cast aluminum, so engine paints can easily stick to these materials without requiring a primer first. Anybody that is inexperienced with painting engines should conduct thorough research into proper techniques before beginning a project.
Painting conditions should also be considered prior to applying the engine paint. Typically, engine paints should be applied when the outdoor temperature is between 50 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity rating below 85% to ensure that the paint dries and cures properly. Specific temperature and humidity ratings may vary by manufacturer due to differences in formulas, so always refer to the manufacturer recommendations. It is also good practice to be aware of environmental factors such as wind and dust, as these can negatively impact the results. Be sure to cover any surrounding area and items that should be protected from paint mist.
Lastly, keep in mind that paint fumes may be harmful if inhaled. Always make sure to apply paints in a well-ventilated area, and for maximum protection use a respirator with charcoal packs. It is also advisable to protect your skin against any chemicals used during the cleaning steps, and from the paint itself. Minimizing skin exposure with long sleeved work clothing is good practice, as is wearing protective gloves.
The Takeaway
Any of the products in my review can produce outstanding, beautiful results. The key considerations are temperature resistance (engines subjected to extreme conditions such as racing require paints that can withstand higher temperatures), environmental factors (engine paints that will be subjected to winter conditions should be able to hold up against salt spray), and color selection (if a specific OEM color is required, options may be more limited. Regardless of the paint selected, always be sure to prepare the engine and engine parts properly prior to painting in order to avoid the need to repeat the process. Thanks for reading my review of engine paints. Happy painting!
Do you want to know what the best truck frame paints are? Check our article.
Jasmine Paulos says
I am glad that I came across such an amazing article. Thanks for sharing such a great article.Such great tips and information you have shared with us. Engine paints are very essential for the engines for preventing corrosion and to increase its performance. Thanks for listing down the paints,
J P SULLIVAN says
standard manifold and header paints are rated for up to 1,400 degrees and come in gray, silver and black colors. Advanced internal thermal coatings will withstand a whopping 1,800 degrees of heat.
Eastwood engine paints withstand 650 degrees. Therefore engine & engine parts paint with higher temps are a better paint.
Anthony says
I’m thinking of spraying my Kawasaki 1100 engine in orange,
What I need to no is, is there a prober primar to use as I wish to colour code the engine the same as the bike i.e I want to use car paint.
Danny says
I’m rebuilding a 1951 Willys M38, The color is olive drab, I’m having a hard time finding a high temp paint for the engine, Can I use a synthetic enamel? Or is there a company that makes the high temp in the color I need? Thanks, Danny
Rick Smith says
Some automotive suppliers to body shops can make you something, but ot will cost you! I did a 57 chevy years ago and did everything to last a long time! I love ppg products and there expensive, but did the block with a coating of dp 40 epoxy, it will knock you out without a pro filter mask and make you sick! But it’s the best base you can have, I used durethane polyurethane the toughest they make, takes 118 inch pounds to chip it a d is graffiti proof! Most aircraft stripper wont even dull it! So shot the engine in a PSA airline orange! Its had plenty of dry time before it was fired up! Nothing fazed that paint! They can make colors you pick from the paint charts, find something close, they have computor guns that can scan the original color and make it in most paints and they do have a heat additive it its necessary! Durethane paint is any chemical proof! I’ve seen headers red hot on it like on heads and it didnt discolor! If your experimental get por-15 and mix some different colors together to achieve what you want! Por -15 is 45 bucks a pint! One pint will paint a engine from high solids, but has to be brushed on with good flow brush! Long dry time. Most engines dont get that hot but around heads and exhaust it needs to be tough and chemical proof.
Ray L Noel says
Give Bill Hirsch a call. I am sure he will have what you are looking for.