Painting Cylinders.

Builders,

Here is a quick look at simple task in the middle of the day; Painting a set of Cylinders. These particular ones are going on the 2,775 cc demo assembly motor which will go together at Corvair College #42.

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While no one building one motor needs to make the fixture, some of the other tips apply to any build.  The first step is to get the cylinders very clean, for which I use brake cleaner or carb cleaner after a trip through the mineral sprits tank. After washing I dry them in the gas BBQ grill.

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Above is a tool made many moons ago, it makes painting a set of cylinders uniformly very easy. It is a 4″ piece of PVC, with thin .125″ walls, slit down the length and rolled up. It springs back from hand clamping and holds the cylinder in place without scratching it. Cylinders are slid on one at a time and taped to each other. Keeps the paint overspray from getting on the bores.

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Above, an end view of the operation.

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Cylinders being painted. The only stuff I use is Dupli-Color 500 degree engine paint, it is available everywhere, it doesn’t fish eye and it holds up great. One can is more than enough for 6 cylinders. The fixture allows for rotation and you get to see all the surfaces. In really humid places like Florida, the paint will sometimes blush and get a foggy look. No worries, take the tape off and put them in the grill on 300 degrees for 10 minutes, and volia! they are shiny again and the paint is cured. If you do this, put a light coat of oil on the bores as soon as they cool, otherwise they will get surface rust.

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Wewjr.

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