Painting the Engine

[jkaiser77]

Random question to better understand my A4...

I'm currently overhauling my A4 and painting the dissembled cast iron parts.

I've masked all areas where there will be gaskets to keep them paint-free. But what keeps these gasket areas from rusting? All the metal on the outside wants to rust instantly unless there's paint on it. And the interior will ultimately have oil sloshing around to protect it. But what keeps the gasket areas from rusting?

[Dave Neptune]

The gasket surfaces won't rust enough during painting to worry about. The bit of color of the rust will pretty much just wipe off. These are hi nickel castings so rust is at a minimum for cast iron.

Dave Neptune

[jkaiser77]

Thanks, Dave. I'm wondering because an exterior section of my oil pan developed a bit of a rust bloom (where the machine shop that cleaned it forgot to put anti-rust grease on). I angle-grinded the rust off, but it started coming back within a day or two. I angle grinded again, then immediately put Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer on.

I was worried that once I remove the anti-rust grease from the gasket surfaces they'd also start to rust. But sounds like I don't have to worry about that.

[sdemore]

I've applied a light coating of Vaseline if it was going to be sitting a while. Keeps it from rusting and won't harm the gasket seal. Once it is assembled, the gasket will seal out the air and with no air, there is no rust.

[wristwister]

When I rebuilt an A4 for my daughter's boat, I was advised to do all the assembly first, including all covers, then paint the whole thing. This makes good sense, as all those edges get completely sealed with paint.

But ... my daughter had another paint scheme in mind so I painted covers and accessories separately. Hope we don't have seal/corrosion issues down the road.

[southcoasting]

When I rebuilt an A4 for my daughter's boat, I was advised to do all the assembly first, including all covers, then paint the whole thing. This makes good sense, as all those edges get completely sealed with paint.

But ... my daughter had another paint scheme in mind so I painted covers and accessories separately. Hope we don't have seal/corrosion issues down the road.

Wow...definitely a daughter's engine! Looks mint though!

[edwardc]

... Looks mint though!

I would say more mint and bubblegum,

[wristwister]

Here's my daughter sailing her boat:

[sdemore]

Almost a shame to put that beautiful thing in a boat bilge.

[southcoasting]

Here's my daughter sailing her boat:

LOL! At least your daughter is sailing and you got to rebuild an A4 for her to her paint specs! That is a triple crown fatherhood win in my books!