I often see rebuilt rotary engines done up in all sorts of colors. Some look like bumble bees in black and yellow, others almost look as if it were factory in black and silver. I want to do this too since I'm rebuilding my NA S4 now and my MSP at the end of the summer.

I was wondering if they get them powdercoated or if they just use that engine paint at autozone? If it is paint, do I need the 500 or 2000 degrees Fahrenheit kind? How long does it last?

 

The hotter the resistance, the better? or am I wrong?

 

Pick up some engine enamel from Autozone or wherever. If you're careful to prep the surfaces well and take care of the paint (keep it clean, avoid spilling chemicals on it, etc.), it will stay looking nice for quite a while.

 

500 degree

I just did an S4 NA is black and silver. It looks good.

 

Clean the Engine reall really good. Don't just wipe it off with some brake cleaner and a rag and say its clean. You need a tooth brush w/ some chemicals and get to work, If you want the paint to last. I use POR15 to paint engines. Piston & rotary. Holds up to heat, pretty tuff. also use the search button, there is a huge thread on this.

 

Use engine degreaser and a tooth brush. Be prepare to spend hours on each plate. The stubborn areas can be scratched away with a screwdriver tip. A small steel or brass brush works really well too.

Time saving hint. I like to spray the paltes with some wd40 and use a toothbrish as sort of a pre-clean. Then wipe the excess off with a rag. This saves lots of time and effort for the next step with degreaser. They come out 90% clean after this one application of degreaser. Then dry them and treat the stubborn areas. It's what I'm doing today. Gotta get out there and do a final degrease/rinse of a rear plate like right now.

 

Thanks for the tips.
I've just finished cleaning them today. It took three hours for each housing to get them spotless.

 

I spent all day on them yesterday. Then a couple hours last night masking so I can run out and paint them now. Still got several more to mask and paint. I think one might need another cleaning as it was getting dark and I think I missed a spot or two. Stubborn areas that need brake cleaner and a toothbrush/screwdriver is all that's left. Probably no need to get out the degreaser and water for these.