Powder Coat or Paint for engine parts?

[724x4bronco]

So I'm looking into what the best option is for finishing engine parts in terms of durability and ease of maintenance. For parts like an aluminum intake, valve covers, accessory brackets etc.

I own one of the DIY powder coating systems, but the only thing that has me worried about P/C are the engine temps possibly "melting or Re-baking" the powder.

A buddy of mine is a painter and assures me standard automotive paint and clear (not rattle cans) will withstand the heat, which I personally doubt.

In the past Ive gone the rattle can route and it just never seems to hold up as well as Id like. So id like the use the best possible option this time around

What have you guys used, with successful results?

 

[BanditBronco]

I have powder coated a few sets of intake manifolds and serp brackets with good success, those and valve covers I would believe wouldn't be an issue. Most Powder coating as you know should cure from 350-400 degrees unless you have low cure powder that is usually around 300 degrees.

As far as the engine block goes, I would trust your buddy, I painted a block with a urethane based single stage gloss black from a spray gun and it looks as shiny today as it did the day I painted it. I definitely won't rattle can another one after these results.

Exhaust, I either go raw stainless or ceramic coated. Only bad thing about ceramic coating is it scratches if you look at it wrong.

 

[724x4bronco]

I have powder coated a few sets of intake manifolds and serp brackets with good success, those and valve covers I would believe wouldn't be an issue. Most Powder coating as you know should cure from 350-400 degrees unless you have low cure powder that is usually around 300 degrees.

As far as the engine block goes, I would trust your buddy, I painted a block with a urethane based single stage gloss black from a spray gun and it looks as shiny today as it did the day I painted it. I definitely won't rattle can another one after these results.

Exhaust, I either go raw stainless or ceramic coated. Only bad thing about ceramic coating is it scratches if you look at it wrong.

Great, thanks. Basically the answer I was looking for, its always good to have some extra reassurance.

 

[meadowblaster]

Agreed, I powder coated upper and lower intake (mustang EFI), valve covers and front accessory brackets years ago with an Eastwood powder coat gun and powder. Still looks great.

 

[jmangi62]

I painted my engine ford blue, but I had the aluminium intake powdercoated black to match my valve covers and intake air filter. I think you'll be ok with pc.

 

[DirtDonk]

Only bad thing about ceramic coating is it scratches if you look at it wrong.

A trick with the silver coated ceramic stuff though is that you can use aluminum polish on any scratches. If you're good it'll even help with the bluing that some go through, but that can be permanent depending on how deep it is.
But for scratches (especially light ones) the aluminum polish can do the trick.

Paul