Topic: Quick Motor Cleaning Before Painting Question

[OakBehringer]

Getting ready to paint my engine case (without splitting it, head/block off). I cleaned/degreased it last night. I'm going to brass brush all the loose flaky paint off and rough up the existing paint. What should I wipe it down with right before I paint it?

Thanks!
Adam

[robe0531]

try acetone on a rag or spray with some brake clean it dries pretty fast

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Don't know if I'd use acetone as a cleaner on existing paint.  How about mineral spirits or alcohol? Not likely to lift existing paint.

[OakBehringer]

Don't know if I'd use acetone as a cleaner on existing paint.  How about mineral spirits or alcohol? Not likely to lift existing paint.

I'll have to go pick up either one from the hardware store, would one or the other be better?

Also - dumb question - is that "Isopropanol Rubbing Alcohol"?

[hymodyne]

if you are not stripping all the way down, acetone might soak into the paint and stay there, marring the finish on the final coats you apply.

[kghost]

Acetone is a fast evaporative solvent.

It will...if you dump enough of it on the paint....soften and remove it.

When I paint a case...I use Acetone or MEK on a rag to wipe down the case.

Laquer thinner is another option.

I wouldn't worry about a wipe down with MEK or acetone on a rag leaving any residue behind that will screw up new paint.

[bunghole]

Don't know if I'd use acetone as a cleaner on existing paint.  How about mineral spirits or alcohol? Not likely to lift existing paint.

I'll have to go pick up either one from the hardware store, would one or the other be better?

Also - dumb question - is that "Isopropanol Rubbing Alcohol"?

Yes.  Maybe put it in a spray bottle to get in all the nooks and crannies.

[mcuozzo]

My advice would be to get as much of the old paint off as you can.  New paint has a tendency to lift old paint.

Acetone, denatured alcohol or MEK are all good solvents to use before painting.  Most automotive stores have a painting prep spray in the paint section.  It's also fine to use.

Post pictures\type of paint you wind up using!

Matt