Proper Paint And Method To Paint Cylinder Barrels.

[British Bikes]

I have a 1967 Norton Atlas 750 that I recently took the head and cylinder barrel off to have the cylinders honed. The machine shop dipped, media blasted and honed the cylinder barrel. I pick it up at the shop tomorrow.

I have heard many things regarding painting the cylinders. I am not sure what is true and what is folklore.

What would be the best way to prep the surface?

What would be the proper way to paint the cylinder barrel?

What would be the best product to use?

Thanks for your wisdom...

 

[speedrattle]

make it super clean. did they spraywash the jugs? if they did, you dont need to do much. i use an aerosol matt black paint designed for painting exhaust headers, on bare metal. auto parts stores sell several kinds.

if it ever flakes off, i simply re-apply directly on the bike.

make sure you mask the parts you dont want painted.

also make sure the newly-honed jugs are absolutely spotlessly clean. i use multiple washes of hot soapy water, and rinse clean until a wipe with a snow white cloth shows no colour at all. i dry them and then apply a very small amount of oil to prevent rust if i am not installi g them immediately.

 

[grandpaul]

Rust-O-Leum in glossy black, rattle can.

I've used it for 30 + years, stuff still looks great.

 

[HKChris]

All above good, one thing I do is use undiluted phosphoric acid on all bare steel/iron, leave overnight and wash off before applying paint. it will never rust and any chipped paint means it will not show as rust.

 

[Lordmac]

It is my well-oiled and sage belief that cylinder barrels should be painted with black wrinkle-finish paint. Looky see . . .
The first photo is the actual, untouched, original paint which was a fairly smooth satin black. It, however, had some chips and such from being old, so I stripped it off and repainted it with new, completely awesome paint, as in the second photo. It self levels after a while and is not nearly as bold-looking as in this photo. I used high-heat automotive spray paint-in-a-can to achieve this. This paint has been on my Triumph since 2015 and has had no problems. You too can do this to your Triumph and have it look - and be - cool.

 

[HKChris]

It is my well-oiled and sage belief that cylinder barrels should be painted with black wrinkle-finish paint. Looky see . . .
The first photo is the actual, untouched, original paint which was a fairly smooth satin black. It, however, had some chips and such from being old, so I stripped it off and repainted it with new, completely awesome paint, as in the second photo. It self levels after a while and is not nearly as bold-looking as in this photo. I used high-heat automotive spray paint-in-a-can to achieve this. This paint has been on my Triumph since 2015 and has had no problems. You too can do this to your Triumph and have it look - and be - cool.

That looks really cool, if it stays like that. I'd question the adhesion on the barrel skirts, if it came adrift, it may cause problems.

 

[Lordmac]

That looks really cool, if it stays like that. I'd question the adhesion on the barrel skirts, if it came adrift, it may cause problems.

Ah, yes, "question the adhesion . . ." As one should. To this day (nine years after application) it has held firm and steady with ZERO flaking or chipping and looks - if it's even possible - COOLER than ever!

 

[NM Bonny]

Here's what I used on my '52 Harley FL when I honed and reused the existing jugs--and what I'd likely do to the present '71 OIF Unit 650 if it ends up just needing rings rather than being out of spec, in which case I'll install a 750cc kit: Dupli-Color DE1635 Engine Enamel Spray Paint with Ceramic - Semi-Gloss Black. Available on Scamazon for cheap.

I soft bead-blasted the jugs (i.e., not with sand), being careful to avoid the bores, then honed them, and shot them with the ceramic paint.

Here are some photos showing the carbon ring (easily dissolved and removed with mineral spirits and red scotch brite), jugs after blasting, cross-hatch after a few seconds with the Flex Hone and plenty of oil, painted and bolted in place.

Like Speedrattle said, if not immediately installing them coat the bores with oil.

 

[Lordmac]

Here's what I used on my '52 Harley FL when I honed and reused the existing jugs--and what I'd likely do to the present '71 OIF Unit 650 if it ends up just needing rings rather than being out of spec, in which case I'll install a 750cc kit: Dupli-Color DE1635 Engine Enamel Spray Paint with Ceramic - Semi-Gloss Black. Available on Scamazon for cheap.

I soft bead-blasted the jugs (i.e., not with sand), being careful to avoid the bores, then honed them, and shot them with the ceramic paint.

Here are some photos showing the carbon ring (easily dissolved and removed with mineral spirits and red scotch brite), jugs after blasting, cross-hatch after a few seconds with the Flex Hone and plenty of oil, painted and bolted in place.

Like Speedrattle said, if not immediately installing them coat the bores with oil.

That looks reeeel fine! But, but, but those cylinder barrels only have ONE piston hole innem!?

 

[NM Bonny]

That looks reeeel fine! But, but, but those cylinder barrels only have ONE piston hole innem!?

Oh, man... I knew I'd left something out during assembly!

 

[British Bikes]

Here's what I used on my '52 Harley FL when I honed and reused the existing jugs--and what I'd likely do to the present '71 OIF Unit 650 if it ends up just needing rings rather than being out of spec, in which case I'll install a 750cc kit: Dupli-Color DE1635 Engine Enamel Spray Paint with Ceramic - Semi-Gloss Black. Available on Scamazon for cheap.

I soft bead-blasted the jugs (i.e., not with sand), being careful to avoid the bores, then honed them, and shot them with the ceramic paint.

Here are some photos showing the carbon ring (easily dissolved and removed with mineral spirits and red scotch brite), jugs after blasting, cross-hatch after a few seconds with the Flex Hone and plenty of oil, painted and bolted in place.

Like Speedrattle said, if not immediately installing them coat the bores with oilIt look

Here's what I used on my '52 Harley FL when I honed and reused the existing jugs--and what I'd likely do to the present '71 OIF Unit 650 if it ends up just needing rings rather than being out of spec, in which case I'll install a 750cc kit: Dupli-Color DE1635 Engine Enamel Spray Paint with Ceramic - Semi-Gloss Black. Available on Scamazon for cheap.

I soft bead-blasted the jugs (i.e., not with sand), being careful to avoid the bores, then honed them, and shot them with the ceramic paint.

Here are some photos showing the carbon ring (easily dissolved and removed with mineral spirits and red scotch brite), jugs after blasting, cross-hatch after a few seconds with the Flex Hone and plenty of oil, painted and bolted in place.

Like Speedrattle said, if not immediately installing them coat the bores with oil.

The cylinders look really nice!

 

[NM Bonny]

The cylinders look really nice!

Yeah, just thought you'd like a high-temp, oil-resistant alternative to the other (very fine) choices. I've got maybe 3,000 miles on the engine since that photo and they still have a nice, low sheen that cleans up easily.

We'll look forward to seeing your bike when it's done.