Engine painting tips, hints and reviews

Noobie

Elite Member
Subscriber
Not just reserved for ducati's but It seems with all the expense spent on the design and mechanical's, engine paint never seemed to be high on their must do right list.

So if you have carried out an engine repaint, did you do it in the bike or engine out, what worked best for cleaning and prep, how easy was it to find the paint code or did you use "as close as", what problems did you have if any and upon review looking back after completion, what would you have done differently and what went ok?

Pictures will help as will any other tips
 
DB2 'cafe racer' for Glemseck | Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
 
Wayne, if you click on your pictures, you will see a blue thin line border appear. Click and hold on anyone of the corners and then you can enlarge or reduce the pictures by simply moving the mouse/arrow
 
So what did you use and how did you prep :unsure: and did you get all the shoit original paint off the feckker?
I basically wet and dried it to the bare ali and used 1200 grit to finish the masking was a pain but worth it and yes the huge engine nut got painted but what the fuck it looks presentable and better than it was!!
 
Wayne, if you click on your pictures, you will see a blue thin line border appear. Click and hold on anyone of the corners and then you can enlarge or reduce the pictures by simply moving the mouse/arrow
What would i do without you @Noobie good call (y) :love:.
 
I basically wet and dried it to the bare ali and used 1200 grit to finish the masking was a pain but worth it and yes the huge engine nut got painted but what the fuck it looks presentable and better than it was!!
So what did you use 🤔 (paint, primer) 👀

my 998 is still as good as when it left the factory btw, just out of interest?
My Z1 engine was last painted in 1983 ish and is as good as the day it was done - that was etch primed and 2pack paint. Not sure why Ducati had so much trouble tbh
 
So what did you use 🤔 (paint, primer) 👀

my 998 is still as good as when it left the factory btw, just out of interest?
My Z1 engine was last painted in 1983 ish and is as good as the day it was done - that was etch primed and 2pack paint. Not sure why Ducati had so much trouble tbh
I was going to etch prime it but just painted it with Simoniz Aluminium engine enamel, when the weather improves and after putting some miles on it will see how long it last.
It has always baffled me how Ducati got it so wrong with engine paint but saying that it's another hit and miss thing with Ducati, the engine paint on my 900ie is still ok all be it a bit rough in places but nothing compared to the 996 was, the wonderful world of Ducati and the quirks of Italian design and production.(y)

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I posted this in the DF a few weeks ago and have just copied the text out...it was a jap import to NZ about 2 yrs ago and looked like it had spent sometime outside or being left covered in crap...
I painted my s4r motor quite successfully using hammerite spray can flat silver. It came out so close to the original it would be hard to tell. I pulled the motor, made some blanking plates for the exhausts and inlets and crankcase breather. I bolted the motor to an engine stand and set about stripping the paint with paint stripper. It came off pretty easy as it was put on badly in the factory. Some very careful masking up and some paint prep solution and I was ready. I put the motor in confinement with a heater and got it almost too hot to hold your hand on. I painted it outside and the hot motor meant the paint tacked off very quickly.I did grey etch primer one day then finish coat the next.
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I posted this in the DF a few weeks ago and have just copied the text out...it was a jap import to NZ about 2 yrs ago and looked like it had spent sometime outside or being left covered in crap...
I painted my s4r motor quite successfully using hammerite spray can flat silver. It came out so close to the original it would be hard to tell. I pulled the motor, made some blanking plates for the exhausts and inlets and crankcase breather. I bolted the motor to an engine stand and set about stripping the paint with paint stripper. It came off pretty easy as it was put on badly in the factory. Some very careful masking up and some paint prep solution and I was ready. I put the motor in confinement with a heater and got it almost too hot to hold your hand on. I painted it outside and the hot motor meant the paint tacked off very quickly.I did grey etch primer one day then finish coat the next.View attachment 4958View attachment 4959View attachment 4960View attachment 4961View attachment 4962
Thought my s4rs motor was a bit roped, but nothing like that! It’s needs a paint so watching with interest. It is an ideal winter job but no way I could sustain the warmth enough in the garage I think for the paint to be any good.
 
I've only quote or reply options, cannae do likes or smileys. Can you sort it? I started a thread in 1098 forum that isn't showing either. Am I on probation :)
You need to subscribe a fiver, click on your name top right then click on account upgrades on the right (y) .
 
Hi all,
Thought I’d contribute my efforts.
stripped with a combo of carefully applied paint stripper, abrasive pads and wire brushes. Thoroughly degreased, etch primed and painted with smooth hammerite on recommendation of Rich at Louigi moto. It’s come out alright but we’ll see how it stands up but figure it can’t be much worse than the factory finish!
Used a top tip from another forum to use ally foil tape for masking up - very easy to shape and trim and whilst very sticky it wasn’t too bad to clean off the adhesive afterwards with a bit of gt85 and mild abrasive pad.
 

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Hi all,
Thought I’d contribute my efforts.
stripped with a combo of carefully applied paint stripper, abrasive pads and wire brushes. Thoroughly degreased, etch primed and painted with smooth hammerite on recommendation of Rich at Louigi moto. It’s come out alright but we’ll see how it stands up but figure it can’t be much worse than the factory finish!
Used a top tip from another forum to use ally foil tape for masking up - very easy to shape and trim and whilst very sticky it wasn’t too bad to clean off the adhesive afterwards with a bit of gt85 and mild abrasive pad.
Nice job, they turned out well considering the condition.
 
Hi all,
Thought I’d contribute my efforts.
stripped with a combo of carefully applied paint stripper, abrasive pads and wire brushes. Thoroughly degreased, etch primed and painted with smooth hammerite on recommendation of Rich at Louigi moto. It’s come out alright but we’ll see how it stands up but figure it can’t be much worse than the factory finish!
Used a top tip from another forum to use ally foil tape for masking up - very easy to shape and trim and whilst very sticky it wasn’t too bad to clean off the adhesive afterwards with a bit of gt85 and mild abrasive pad.
did you use brushing or spray hammerite ?
 
I used paint stripper, a Dremel, loads of wire wheels for it, grey engine primer (I’ll get the make tomorrow) and Simoniz Matt lacquer.

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I also had to do the rear of the crankcases with the engine in the frame so, as with Wayne above, rubbed down, masked and Simoniz Engine Enamel.
 
Bought some paint stripper today after trying some DIY store shit that was 0% effective.

Bought 5 litres of this stuff after trying some at my sign-writer mates workshop, it works like it used to do in the olden days, highly recommended. Only just over £30 for 5 litres 🙂

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