engine tin paint? Options

[KaptKaos]

Do you need to use high heat paint on your engine tin?

[Tom_T]

The temp to which they are subjected varies by placement - upper tins which you can see most of the time are generally cooler than the ones around the exhaust/HE's - which can get very hot. If they're doing their job, then they'll be cooler on the outside surface as they transfer & radiate the heat to the airstream.

While the CHT/Heads may run at 400+ degrees, exhaust/HE's & other parts of the case, heads, etc. can reach 700-1400 & transfer much of that to the adjacent tins - which will get hottest where they're physically attached to the motor & therefore the low temp paints can directly transfer & stick to the alloy engine parts, to give you more fun to remove at a future date.

Trouble is, since the tins are there to direct the cooling airflow, the unseen insides get much hotter than the visible outsides of the tins. My guess is that if the tins were pulled, that you might see some heat bubbling on the inner surfaces which get hottest.

IMHO - you should use hi-temp paint on these for up to 1000-1100 at least (unless you want to try to pick which ones get hot & then use low temp on the others & hope the colors match) or PC the suckers - as MDG has suggested above.

IIRC the "regular temp" Rustoleum & others available at the various Porsche & VW suppliers are good to perhaps 400-500 degrees (check labels) & use with caution on the tins.