How To Do A Beautiful, Long-Lasting Engine Paint Job For A Dollar

Getting paint to stick to your engine block and look good for any amount of time is a task easier said than done.

Here’s a method Uncle Tony’s Garage has developed over the years that consistently holds up and shines. The process requires nothing more than simple hardware store goods. The best part is that the total cost of everything used to paint the Big Block Mopar in the example was around one dollar!

Here’s the step-by-step procedure so you can reproduce these results at home.

Step 1 ~ Torch Out Moisture

Cast iron engine block surfaces are porous and trap moisture. Applying heat to the surfaces to be painted will cause any trapped moisture to evaporate. In the example, a MAP gas torch is used, but this could also be done with a propane or oxyacetylene torch as well.

Step 2 ~ Wipe Down with Acetone

Once the moisture has been sweated out of the porous surface of the engine block, do a thorough wipe down with acetone to remove any oils and greases from the surface.

Step 3 ~ Mask Off Mounting Surfaces

Mask off all of the mounting surfaces and any other areas that you don’t want to be painted.

Step 4 ~ Brush On Primer Coat

Apply a coat of Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Primer with a brush.

Step 5 ~ Brush On Paint Coats

Apply two coats of your chosen color of Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel paint, allowing proper dry time between coats.

How To Paint Your Engine with Uncle Tony

Watch and listen as Uncle Tony breaks down each step of this simple and inexpensive process that achieves great looking and very durable results. He explains why he does it the way does, and how in the end, what is used to actually get this job done costs about a dollar…

Practical Implementation

Uncle Tony Inspired Engine Paint Job by Dan at DD Speed Shop

Dan at DD Speed Shop has his big block Chevy is on the stand and it needed a little freshening — the mill gets a new rear main seal and a one-piece oil pan gasket.

Dan blames the balance of the video on Uncle Tony, who put out the video above demonstrating the perfect engine paint job for about a dollar. As it turns out, paint prep and primer were top of the list. Dan watched the video a couple of times and headed out on his own to make it happen. In the end, he says “honestly one of the best engine paint jobs I have ever done! Thanks, Uncle Tony’s Garage!”

Editor’s Note: Engine cleaning starts at 10:43, engine paint starts at 13:18