Painting 250r engine

[Scratt]

Alright guys I tried doing some research in the search section and I got a lot of mix reviews. So my question is I got a liquid cooled 250r and I am going to rebuild the top end of the engine so I want to also repaint the engine. Whats the best way to go about this like powder coat or get a good paint job done? I got an auto body shop right down the road from me which the guy knows me so I might talk to him as well but from your guys's experience what do you think?

[atc007]

I much prefer paint. Just me..

[badass350x]

Go for it, just clean very very good lightly scuff it up too were there's no gloss left and use a good fuel proof paint! Tape all bolt heads up and all non painted parts too keep that factory look.

[Scratt]

From what I heard from doing my research for the engine I think I might prefer painting also I am not to interested in splitting my case to take all the bearings and seals out. I think I will try sand blasting the engine then doing the finer cleaning details by hand. Also about the bolts I was thinking about the stainless steal bolt kit you can buy but I haven't heard to much about them or really how they would look on it. I got an 85 r but i think i will do the same grey paint from what the 86 would have I just love that colour on that bike.

[murfman]

I am a huge fan of powdercoating. I have never done a ATC/Motorcycle engine, but after having problems with durability on my cars and trucks I had both the engine and the transmission in my SRT-4 powdercoated when I built it last year, it still looks like new 15K miles later.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02195.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02256.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02255.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02262.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02301.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02371.jpg

After 15K miles:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x205/murfman_photo/SRT-4/DSC02444.jpg

If you are not completely disassembling the engine I can see the advantages of paint, but if I am that far into a project I'd rather go all the way with new seals and bearings anyway.

[Gripit'n'ripit]

For a DIY project I lean towards paint. Cheaper, easier (for me), less prep, and easier to correct if a mistake was made.

[3Wheelermaniac3]

Why do you have to split the case to powdercoat? I bought a system and am wanting to do my engine. Why not blast the whole motor and powdercoat it put together?

[SteveCZ28]

i reshot my new 250r motor. i have a 85 r that had a semi gloss black motor and my new motor was an 86 and was like a graphite gray. i just simply cleaned the new motor did a light scuffing on it and shot it with the high heat engine spray paint you can buy just about anywhere, i put about 2 good coats on it, and thats all she wrote. and looks great also

[SteveCZ28]

Why do you have to split the case to powdercoat? I bought a system and am wanting to do my engine. Why not blast the whole motor and powdercoat it put together?

well you do have seals inside that motor that probably wouldnt make it during the baking process you have to do to cure the powder. plus if you coated the whole thing together, and had to split the cases at a later time you would probably crack or ruin the powdercoat on it at the seams. atleast thats just my 2 cents

[sweetip2000]

VHT Engine Enamel.

Its got them ceramic resins in it and shines real nice.
Get it it the aerosol can at a sherwin williams dealer.
Its the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro.

[Dirtcrasher]

You have to split them so sand/aluminum oxide (ETC) doesn't enter the engine and some gaskets/seals/o-rings may not like 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

NEVER blast anything that has bearings and seals if you want it to last..........

[pantera1975]

Any of the spray paint you buy is not catalyzed and will prob get soft and discolor easy from spilling gas on it. Carb and brake cleaner will hurt it too. If you have it painted the shop will prob use paint that has hadener added and that will make it alot more durable.

[Scratt]

I love all the info thanks guys I am thinking once I get it all rebuilt and together then I will wash it all with some degreaser and alcohol to get all the grease oil and all that stuff off and scuff it up good with maybe some green scotch brite or something like that. I might paint it myself or get that shop to do it see how prices are but for the 86 grey colour what do you guys say would be the best brand match up?

[SMOKINMO]

http://www.spraymax.com/index.php?id=2&L=1
check out this web site. I sell the spray cans and paint where i work. Ask your local paint and part stores. I also have a factory match on ceramic white and passion red in dupont paint. it can be done in a bc/cc or single stage enamel or urethane activated.

[audioworks04]

I have powder coated cases on a few motors, and my motor in my 86R is powdered. Personally powder will last much longer than paint and stand up to the environment of an engine and gas alot better than paint. But you do have to split cases and pull all bearings and seals before blasting, also have to be careful not to blast bearing/seal surfaces. You cannot bake the motor with all of the seals in it, and if you bake it with the bearings in it, they will fall out during the expansion of the cases in the heat, I have used this to remove bearings before. The worst part about powder is that if it does get chipped or messed up then you cannot touch it up. VHT works very good, just be careful with gas and cleaners. Auto paint with hardener in it works very good, but will still not hold up is chemicals are left sitting on it.

[stroberts22]

I like powder coat if you take the time to take everything apart. With 2 years of riding it still looks the same as it did when it went into the frame.http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/stroberts22/IMG_3525.jpg

[Scratt]

Well I think I am going to paint the engine. I talked to my neighbour and he said he will do it (for basically nothing). So I am going to get it rebuilt and get some paint and figure some other stuff out. I think while I am at it I will powder coat my frame, swing arm handle bars and foot pegs and then chrome my kick starter and the whole front assembly and axle and see how that all goes.

[badass350x]

Scratt, I think that is a great Idea! You will be pleased when your all Done.