Paint the cases, jugs, heads, and transmission

[jakesnake]

I have a 59 Pan and my engine builder is trying to convince me to let him paint the cases, jugs, heads, and trans. with a gray heat paint (jugs in black) after bead blasting. He says it will be much easier to keep clean than bare aluminium. I'm just not sure how this will look especially since the overall look is original, full fenders, etc,, not bob job or chop. Anybody have any experiences or suggestions?

[FlatHeadSix]

Jake

Paint the jugs, leave the aluminum alone. Unless the aluminum has been blasted with 80 grit beach sand or is otherwise rough and porous it shouldn't be any harder to keep clean than a painted surface.

People that paint stuff are usually trying to hide something. If it came from the factory as bare metal in 59 why would you want to cover it up? Paint is also an insulator, it will cool better if you leave it bare.

just my opinion.....

mike

[Pooka]

Got to go with Flatheadsix on this one.
If your scoot is mostly stock, why paint the cases ?
There has always been the argument over whether paint holds in heat.
I can't say if it does or not. The new H.D.'s are covered in wrinkled goo.
I, personally don't like the look. But each to his own.
But many years back, I remember seeing old Pans that had the cases
painted with an aluminum/silver color paint.
These were late '50's, and stock. Done by dealer, owner, or MOCO ??

[Cotten]

Please also consider how special the paint would have to be to resist modern fuel spills.

The closer to you stay to 'stock', the the fewer regrets you will develop later.

...Cotten

[VT]

Also keep in mind that all the "peaks" that surround the "valleys" on every pit and rough spot on a crankcase are tiny cooling fins, as well as all the rough surface of the cylinders. Hundreds of thousands of tiny cooling fins.
If you paint a surface or polish a surface, you loose a jillion cooling fins.