924Board.org

[Rasta Monsta]

Thinking of powdercoating my block. What color do you think is best?
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[PORSCHEV]

All depends what other colors you have going on under the hood. Pick a look and go with it.
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

[ideola]

This is a fascinating question, and one that I've been really chewing on myself. I can't make up my mind.

This is the block I picked up last May on my Virginia parts run, powder coated in red:


This will be going into the post-UWB project, and will stay as is. As for the UWB, I've toyed around with bright orange, metallic blue (kind of like bass gt's), and cast iron grey. I like the brighter and lighter colors because it will be easier to detect if oil leaks develop.

Part of my quandary is whether or not the engine color scheme should be coordinated with the exterior paint scheme. On the one hand, I personally find it jarring if the engine is in colors that contrast too much with the exterior. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want it to be all matchy matchy. Argent silver and cast iron grey would look like brand new, but they're not exactly the most exciting colors.

Do you have any plans for the engine bay? Will you keep it stock exterior paint color or paint it black? I've decided to paint my engine bay a flat or satin black so that whatever I do with detailing the engine pops out.

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts on this, Rasta, and to see what you end up doing.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Chrenan]

I went with light grey paint. I wanted a colour that would show any oil leaks easily.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[ideola]

Chrenan, how has the paint held up? Are you able to keep it clean, or did it get grungy pretty quick?
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Chrenan]

I am actually surprised how well it has held up, it hasn't peeled at all, when I get oil on it I am able to wipe it off, still looks like I just painted it. I fully expected it to last 2 months, but honestly it still looks good. I did it to the best of my ability, painted it the day I got it back from the machine shop after cleaning, multiple coats with lots of drying time.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[ideola]

Do you recall what brand of paint you used? Was it a high temp variety? There seem to be two flavors of high temp at the FLAPS, usually rated for 500°F and then a higher temp that is usually somewhere between 1200-1500°F. I also saw a new (to me) product that is rated for 2000°F, which requires multiple baking and curing sessions in a conventional oven, sort of a rattle-can / DIY ceramic coating.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Chrenan]

Don't recall the exact brand, got it at Canadian Tire so it would have been a common one, likely Duplicolor. It was the higher temp paint, something like 1500, definitely not higher as no baking and curing was required.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Joes924Racer]

I used yellow engine paint... though rasta maybe green huh or brown.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

[Rasta Monsta]

Hmm, I already have some blue under the hood (air cleaner, brackets, water pipes, silicon intake connectors) so I shouldn't clash with that.



I guess either blue to match or a lighter grey as Chrenan did.

Thanks for the input.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[ideola]

I vote blue to match. I like that color.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Joes924Racer]

blue is a mellow color.. though it fits..
Red is powerful like blood you know.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

[Scorpio]

[PORSCHEV]

I was thinking blue when I first read your post...now that I see the pictures...blue would be the obvious color. I would do the head the same color as well.

Now. When it comes to painting the block. You don't need to have it powder coated. You also don't need to use a high temp paint either. I always thought you needed to use high temp rated paint as well when painting engines until an old time hot rod friend of mine explained it to me like this. "Have you ever touched the hood of a black car in the middle of summer when it's 100 degrees out?" You actually CAN cook an egg the hood.

So a good quality urathane or base coat clear coat will do a great job and CAN take the heat.

To prep the motor for paint....

1.Scrap the big grease off with a putty knife.
2.Spray with a degreaser
3. Rinse it down the drain that goes to Nobbi's house
4.Use a paint brush and soak the block down with Laquer thinner (wear safety glasses...it burns your eyes)
5. Once wetted with thinner ...scrub with a wire brush.
6. I just spray the excess dirt/grime off with my paint gun filled with thinner.
7.Blow dry with compressed air.

Mask off all parts you don't want painted....Pistons ,crank etc

Let the paint fly
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

[Fifty50Plus]

+1 Porschev...I've been painting my race motors this way for years. Light colors show leaks quickly. Black not so much.
Chuck