Painting engine covers, previously polished

[SoCal250]

A previous owner polished the engine covers on my 400 and I'm wanting to go back to black. Any advice for prepping and getting the paint to adhere well since they are currently very smooth?  Scuff up the surface with sandpaper and clean with acetone? TIA  I'll be using PJ1 satin black

[m in sc]

glass bead or sand blast , then acetone.

[SoCal250]

glass bead or sand blast , then acetone.

OK. I don't have a blast cabinet, so I'll have to find someone

[Hardy]

A bit of sandpaper should be ok, if you don't have a sand blaster.

Alternatively, why not find someone who would like to swap painted for polished? That would be a win win for both of you.

[Jspooner]

glass bead or sand blast , then acetone.

Exactly what I do. Works great. I also bake them at about 200 before installing.

[Clem]

A previous owner polished the engine covers on my 400 and I'm wanting to go back to black. Any advice for prepping and getting the paint to adhere well since they are currently very smooth?  Scuff up the surface with sandpaper and clean with acetone? TIA  I'll be using PJ1 satin black

Que up the AC/DC back in black!

[~JM~]

Scotch-Brite pads?

[SoCal250]

A previous owner polished the engine covers on my 400 and I'm wanting to go back to black. Any advice for prepping and getting the paint to adhere well since they are currently very smooth?  Scuff up the surface with sandpaper and clean with acetone? TIA  I'll be using PJ1 satin black

Que up the AC/DC back in black!

that thought actually crossed my mind as I was typing that

[Seizer]

A self etching primer would work. Works great on mild steel anyway.

[2strokesforever]

You will need to clean them with acetone, blast with glass bead and then acetone again.

I always heat the aluminum up to 100-150* just before painting, put 2-3 coats on and let it dry for 48 hours before installing.

My paint of choice is VHT gm satin black for engine cases for RDs. But i recently did a Harley engine for a friend and used VHT wrinkle black and it turned out very nice for rattle can paint.

Take your time on the prep and cleanliness is key.

BTW: the VHT is fuel proof, ive spilled fuel/premix on my cases and have never had issues.

[Hawaii-Mike]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuQQgN4psb8&list=RDOuQQgN4psb8&start_radio=1

[Loneagle]

Sandblast, epoxy primer and 2k urethane in satin black. I haven't found a aerosol paint that holds up very well.

[SoCal250]

Would aluminum oxide work? I found a blast cabinet I can borrow

[2strokesforever]

Would aluminum oxide work? I found a blast cabinet I can borrow

Absolutely,  but it will be very aggressive. Dust, if you will, lightly very the cases and it will remove the shine very fast. Just don't sit in one spot or you will see the removed material after paint is on.

[m in sc]

btw, dont prime over bare aluminum. just straight paint, will stick beautifully.