Painting a rusty engine

[Rick D]

Hello all.

I have a couple cans of Rustoleum hi temp spray paint.

I was going to hit the areas below my starboard manifold where there is some rust from where a bad manifold gasket allowed water and exhaust gas to blow by. I was going to wire wheel it on drill to remove as much rust as possible (after taping the manifold exhuast holes closed)... but wanted to know what else needs to be done or should be done to help inhibit rust from returning and allow the rustoleum to really get a good bond to the block.

Thanks,
--Rick

 

[RickB]

You can try using MetalPrep, instructions on the can. If it is still being made.

 

[L. Keith]

A wire wheel on a drill will only polish the surface corrosion and make it hard for any subsequent coating to adher to the manifold. De-scale the area and use a chemical primer, like Ospho or Chem-Prime. Rustoleum is not the best coating to use, but if that's all you got, try it. Good luck.

 

[Shadowcruzr]

OSPHO!

 

[Rub Rails]

I've used both Ospho and Petit Rustlok (Trailer Cote) with good results. My opinion is that Ospho is more a converter making the rust process inert for awhile. The Rustlok seemed to last longer and seal off the rust better with longer lasting results. I'm not a chemist, don't even play one. This has been my experience. Love Rustlok for steel (ferrous metals).