Motor Paint

[mark82]

If one was doing a complete rebuild on a 240d, and wanted to reinstall a clean motor without bare metal/rust/grease, IOW paint the block and head, what type of paint will hold up without peeling or cracking?

I assume factory color was black?

[97 SL320]

Clean motor as in completely apart / hot tanked and derusted or pressure washed and wire brushed?

Unless all of the oil / rust is removed, the paint will come off at some point. The last motor I put together was painted with machine gray Rustoleum industrial enamel from a spray can. That was about 7 years ago and it seems to be holding up OK.

Consider painting the engine a light color, makes working on under hood items much easier / brighter.

[sixto]

Eastwood carries good quality engine paint. VHT will work too. Good prep is the key.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon