Topic: Dupli-color engine paint dry time/temp

[CBJoe]

I know there have been plenty of threads on Dupli-color Engine Enamel, but I'm looking for some advice about the final dry time/temp.  I'm painting the engine whole, so I wont be able to bake/cure it afterwards with anything other than a space heater/hair dryer.

Its going to be a little above 60degrees today which is good for application of the paint, but over the next 7 days the daytime temps are fine, but the night time temps will be dropping into the low 50's with some upper 40's at night. 

Looking for opinions on if this will be an issue?

Cheers, Joe

[lone*X]

Just follow the instructions on the can as far as flash and drying times.  Baking is not required although a lot of folks do it.  The space heater will speed the curing up but let the paint harden some first.  If the bike is already a runner then just ride it.  The engine heat will be a lot more than the space heater.  If the bike isn't a runner then the paint will slow cure over a period of time while you finish it out.

[tlbranth]

Can you put down a piece of plywood in the house and put the engine on it for a few days?

[cookindaddy]

I painted an assembled engine with Duplicolor Engine Enamel and let it air dry for two days. The nighttime temperature did not go below 70F when I did it. I painted the engine covers off the engine, baked them and then installed. I was very careful, I think, with cleaning the surfaces and letting them dry thoroughly before painting.

I don't notice much difference in the adhesion and durability of the paint I baked versus the paint I did not. On wear surfaces, like where my boot scuffs the tranny cover, the paint comes off, even though that was one of the surfaces that I baked.

Rattle can paint will never be as good as factory paint unfortunately.

Good luck with yours. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Fritz]

I've had excellent results with VHT Engine Enamel. I did not bake it and the paint is very durable. Two years of heavy use and still nothing rubbed off
After painting and assembling the motor and putting it back into the bike, I rode it hard, so the engine heat helped curing the paint.
Never used Dupli-Color, so I can't compare the quality, though.

[CBJoe]

Can you put down a piece of plywood in the house and put the engine on it for a few days?

Don't think I'll be able to get it into the house.  The weathers looking ok for the next 5 days and I'll keep a space heater going.

At this point paintings all done, so I'll just keep the temp up in the garage as much as possible for the next 7 days and keep my fingers crossed.  So far i'm super impressed at how hard the paint is already.  I accidentally knocked a tool into one of the engine covers and it didn't even leave a mark.

I adhered to the application guidelines laid out by Duplicolor.... was just worried that we're going to have some 45-50 degree nights in a couple days.

Joe

[CBJoe]

Here's the link to the bike I was painting...'79 XS750.  Not SOHC4   

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=119593.0

Regards, Joe

[kghost]

I've had excellent results with VHT Engine Enamel. I did not bake it and the paint is very durable. Two years of heavy use and still nothing rubbed off
After painting and assembling the motor and putting it back into the bike, I rode it hard, so the engine heat helped curing the paint.
Never used Dupli-Color, so I can't compare the quality, though.

I have a couple bikes that had VHT baked on.

Tough stuff. Very gas, abrasion resistant.

I use my gas BBQ pit to cure and harden it