To paint or not to paint
Moderators: John@sos, charlesp, Charles uk, RickUK, Petergalileo
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- Posts: 14
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- Location: Finland
To paint or not to paint
..that is the question.
Hi there guys and gals, long time no see! Now I'm back in business after a long winter.
Anyway, I've just started restoring my 1960 LLS and I'm trying to decide on the paint. The powerhead itself is going to be painted black (actually I painted it already with black engine enamel). What I cant make up my mind about is the cylinder head and the crank case. Should I paint it with some aluminum engine enamel or leave it bare aluminum or perhaps just coat it with some 2K clear coat?
What is the general consensus about this?
Cheers!
Niko
Hi there guys and gals, long time no see! Now I'm back in business after a long winter.
Anyway, I've just started restoring my 1960 LLS and I'm trying to decide on the paint. The powerhead itself is going to be painted black (actually I painted it already with black engine enamel). What I cant make up my mind about is the cylinder head and the crank case. Should I paint it with some aluminum engine enamel or leave it bare aluminum or perhaps just coat it with some 2K clear coat?
What is the general consensus about this?
Cheers!
Niko
British Seagull: '52 AC, ’59 LLS, '60 LLS, '67 WPL, '77 WSPC
British Anzani Minor red label
Johnson Seahorse HD-26 1951, JW16 & JW17, 1968 9.5
Evinrude Sportwin 1963, Fisherman 1975, Yachtwin 1964, Sportwin 3.3 1939
British Anzani Minor red label
Johnson Seahorse HD-26 1951, JW16 & JW17, 1968 9.5
Evinrude Sportwin 1963, Fisherman 1975, Yachtwin 1964, Sportwin 3.3 1939
Re: To paint or not to paint
Nice to see you emerging from the ice!
The original finish was bare on the crancase and head, and black paint on the cylinder. The one thing I hate to see is engines that have been sprayed over with silver. Horrible!
The original finish was bare on the crancase and head, and black paint on the cylinder. The one thing I hate to see is engines that have been sprayed over with silver. Horrible!
Re: To paint or not to paint
I totally agree with that, a pain if you're restoring and have to remove it all.
You will still have to paint the gearbox.
You will still have to paint the gearbox.
- Charles uk
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- Location: Maidenhead Berks UK
Re: To paint or not to paint
On an LLS Keith?
From memory aren't the bare?
From memory aren't the bare?
Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
Re: To paint or not to paint
Yes Charles, painted.
It's a later motor, sub exhaust, slotted water way gearbox, go on tell me I'm wrong.
It's a later motor, sub exhaust, slotted water way gearbox, go on tell me I'm wrong.
- Charles uk
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- Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:38 pm
- Location: Maidenhead Berks UK
Re: To paint or not to paint
Your probably right Keith I've only had a couple of them & I can't remember any paint.
Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
Re: To paint or not to paint
To be honest, I think once the slotted gearbox came along they all got painted.
I found a 58-59 LLS in the back of the shed last week, yes I forgot I had it, like you do.
I've not done anything with it, I will have a look and see.
I found a 58-59 LLS in the back of the shed last week, yes I forgot I had it, like you do.

I've not done anything with it, I will have a look and see.
- Collector Inspector
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Re: To paint or not to paint
The Question "To Paint .....or Not" (Well actually not really a question)
How I figure is that paint is how it should be or not depending on model/year.
If painting is a whole new colour scheme because of personal preference or massive corrosion is somewhat up to the individual.
There have been some nasty paint efforts on a poor Old Dear on The Bay over the years.......none of them but covering shit up with no regard to a pleasing asthetic.
The worstest most horrible is Silver with over spray when silver was never an option. Many times this gets my Goat (Ships Cat) screaming....NOOOO!
Paint it nicely whatever you wish as an individual thing by all means. Has to be a good job however approved by your peers.
Australian early wartime SDs mostly arrived "legit"....or were......painted with silver paint........some interesting undercoats from somewhere underneath......that is by the way.
If you wish to paint then paint the correct bits correctly if originality is the aim.
Paint it anyway you wish otherwise......(Peers as above)
Remember that YOU the new custodian imprint YOUR self on to a lump of years that may well outlive you.
Pause for thought in that.................just saying.
BnC
How I figure is that paint is how it should be or not depending on model/year.
If painting is a whole new colour scheme because of personal preference or massive corrosion is somewhat up to the individual.
There have been some nasty paint efforts on a poor Old Dear on The Bay over the years.......none of them but covering shit up with no regard to a pleasing asthetic.
The worstest most horrible is Silver with over spray when silver was never an option. Many times this gets my Goat (Ships Cat) screaming....NOOOO!
Paint it nicely whatever you wish as an individual thing by all means. Has to be a good job however approved by your peers.

Australian early wartime SDs mostly arrived "legit"....or were......painted with silver paint........some interesting undercoats from somewhere underneath......that is by the way.
If you wish to paint then paint the correct bits correctly if originality is the aim.
Paint it anyway you wish otherwise......(Peers as above)
Remember that YOU the new custodian imprint YOUR self on to a lump of years that may well outlive you.
Pause for thought in that.................just saying.
BnC
A chicken is one egg's way of becoming others
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Re: To paint or not to paint
Couldn't agree more B.
If you must paint something, ANYTHING, make a good job of it. (nothing worse than overspray and general untidiness all over) I think i may have mentioned the 6 P's once or twice before now.
Time earned "weathering" or Patina can be quite attractive in it's own way too. From my perspective it keeps things honest, warts and all!
So, to paint or not to paint that IS the question.
I'm on the fence with this one.
Jon
If you must paint something, ANYTHING, make a good job of it. (nothing worse than overspray and general untidiness all over) I think i may have mentioned the 6 P's once or twice before now.
Time earned "weathering" or Patina can be quite attractive in it's own way too. From my perspective it keeps things honest, warts and all!
So, to paint or not to paint that IS the question.
I'm on the fence with this one.
Jon