Cars Engine Enamel Paint For Dauntless?

Has anyone used this paint before?




I have two cans of it that I bought three years ago for my Dauntless and it's been sitting unopened out in the garage. The paint is just past it's advertised shelf life (expires 12/2020), so I called CARS to ask them about what primer should go on under it, or whether they think it's still useable, but they no longer sell or support paint and couldn't answer any of my questions.

My engine rebuilder is going to be done soon, and he offered to put on a coat of Duplicolor VHT primer for me, but he was hesitant to prime it until I can determine if the primer is compatible with the CARS paint. Does anyone know whether the Duplicolor VHT primer would work? Should I give up on the paint I have since it's past due?

I know the Duplicolor primer it would work under a top coat of Duplicolor Engine Enamel if I gave up on my old CARS paint, but they don't have Buick Green (Engine Enamel with Ceramic™ – Duplicolor). Detroit Diesel Alpine looks close though for my purposes....

I do see that POR-15 does have Buick Green ($31 at Summit) though.

My garage at 6,000' elevation is unheated and half occupied by my wife's car so having my guy down in Sparks take care of this step in his shop would be huge.

Anyone out there used CARS paint? Did you use primer?

 

As long as the can of paint is new/unopened, I wouldn't hesitate using it. Be sure to both stir and shake it well to get any solids that have settled to the bottom re-mixed completely. I can't comment about VHT primer, but generally, I don't use primer on engines; just clean well and spray (or brush) the color on.
-Donny

 

I would brush on an epoxy primer, like the SPI primer I have on my shelf. SPI is quite responsive, and would probably offer an opinion about compatibility with their primer. Great products. They have a forum - you could ask there - Southern Polyurethanes Forum

Bill Hirsch has several Buick colors - Engine Enamel Online | High Temp Engine Paint | Hirsch Auto-hirschauto.com

 

Prolonged freezing temps can ruin paint. Paint should not smell sour. I would spray straight to CLEAN block. No primer. Multiple light even coats and plenty of dry time between coats.
If you are worried about the end results let your mechanic prime and then use what he suggests as a topcoat.

 

Your can says no primer on iron.

 

This is the exact Duplicolor spray paint TA Performance sells as "Buick Green" (though they cut off where the color is shown on the label). I used it on my Dauntless, and it is very close to the original color, though it is evidently actually a Ford engine paint:

https://smile.amazon.com/Dupli-Colo...words=Duplicolor+DE1617&qid=1614122115&sr=8-1

Here's what it looks like on the motor:

 

Thanks guys! Good looking motor you got there @maurywhurt (but I knew that already!)

One idea the mechanic had is to test my paint and if it's good, see if Reno Paint Mart can put it into a rattle can for him. Has anyone ever done that before (I have not).

 

Beautiful Maury! That is the oil bath I need for my ‘66

 

Open the paint and bush some on some metal, see what it looks like in 24 hours. What little paint is needed to paint a engine, I would get some new. If the paint you have does not work, you will notice it, probably after the engine has been installed and running. At that time, it will be a PITA to fix it