Kawi2strokes.com Forum

The VHT High Heat Paint (550 degree) reads for best results use the primer as listed. Is it most important to use the primer when painting cylinders and heads? Can I get away with not using it?

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Iron On The Bayou.

I've never used primer, Iron. For cylinders and heads, you're trying to keep the coat as thin as possible. According to that NASA test I dug up, less than 0.004" and it increases cooling. Over that and it starts to decrease it. If you really want to go all out, get the parts anodized first, then paint. The anodizing is very thin, but makes a great surface for paint to stick to.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Thanks Jim in the Woods. Just don't want to paint the RD Motor without primer and then it starts to fail. Too much work to pull and do it all over. Know what I mean?

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Iron On The Bayou.

I do know what you mean. Maybe you need to do some tests. I used VHT engine enamel in 1979 and it stuck like crazy. It baked onto the cylinders and heads so well I couldn't get it off with paint remover. It was like the porcelain on a bathtub. But the stuff I used last year will scrape off if you accidentally hit the fins with something, and I have to touch it up. Luckily satin black touches up pretty well. It was Rust-oleum engine enamel that I used last year. If VHT hasn't changed in 34 years, you'll be OK, but that's a big if.

I suppose you could accurately measure the thickness of a scrap of aluminum or whatever. Then prime it with a thin layer, paint the black finish coat, bake it, and measure again. If it doesn't grow by more than about 4 thousandths of an inch, then use the primer.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Have you loooked at Kal-Gard Gun-Kote? I remember it was all the rage in the 70s & 80s.
http://www.kal-gard.co.za/coatings/gun-kote.html#page-content
Looks like Gun-Kote 16/2 Box-Kote is for aluminum.

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We don't need no stinkin' Cams!

The bike shop I apprenticed at in the 70s was a Kalgard dealer. Their chainkote is the best chain lube I ever used. You have to bake Gunkote on in an oven if memory serves. It was orignally designed for military gun barrels again if memory serves.

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...

Yes, it has to be baked on but it's very thin and very durable. It also dissapates heat better than bare metal or any paint.

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We don't need no stinkin' Cams!

We used to bead blast engine cases and then spray it on and bake it in an old oven. I was the bead blast guy. I spent a lot of time cleaning parts and bead blasting as an apprentice. I wish I had 20 or 30 motors to do right now

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...

OK, I'll send you mine and you can paint it for me. Gee, thanks Tim.

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Iron On The Bayou.

Send her on Ol Podnah

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I Love the Smell of Blue Marble in the Morning!!!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA
Home of the Phoenix Project
Stay in it when it comes on the pipe, no need to be scared...