Simoniz wheel paint as engine block paint?

[ian_uk1975]

I'm fed-up of waiting (3-weeks, so far) for the Duplicolor engine enamel I've ordered from Duplicolor's UK distributor. In the meantime, I've found that Simoniz 5 Wheel Steel offers a very similar colour to the Duplicolor stuff and is readily available in the UK. I've found a couple of random forum threads where people have used it on engine blocks and it's been successful, but I was wondering if anyone on here has actually tried it? Being wheel paint, I assume it's forumulated to be pretty hard-wearing (although, irritatingly, the Holt's site gives zero information about it other than what size cans it comes in and the colours!) If I were to use it, I'm also not sure if I'd need to prime first? It would be going on a pre-painted cast iron block that's already been prepped for paint (roughed-up the existing paint with a Scotchbrite pad and degreased).

[Auntieroll]

I've used normal household gloss paint over a good primer/clean casting for many years now,had no problems at all with adhesion or flaking.Where it was used inside CI blocks to promote better oil "run-off"/draining back to the sump as was practiced in days of yore I always used a Red oxide primer on scrupulously clean surfaces,again perfectly OK.

This is with N/A engines though,modern Turbo blocks may run a lot hotter,anyone know for sure?

[ian_uk1975]

I've just found a UK supplier of the American 'VHT' brand, which do a similar colour engine enamel, so I think I'll be ordering that instead.

[tr7v8]

Used steel wheel paint on the below with no problems whatsoever. You don't need high temp paint on engine blocks.

[ian_uk1975]

tr7v8 said:

Used steel wheel paint on the below with no problems whatsoever. You don't need high temp paint on engine blocks.

Nice result. Unfortunately, I've already ordered the VHT stuff! I know the high temp capability isn't required for an engine block, but this VHT Engine Enamel is designed to be solvent and oil resistant, which was my main concern. The last thing I want to do is pull the engine out because it needs a repaint after a few months. For the sake of about another Tenner on paint, I thought it prudent to use the proper engine enamel instead.