The right sort of paint!

Dear all

Having spent ages restoring a Stuart 500 boiler, it was steam test today. Few leaks where I had forgotten to tighten bolts, but otherwise fine. However, the paint I used on the outside panels bubbled up and flaked off! Oddly the etch primer underneath seems to be OK. The panels are insulated, but of course get hot. What paint should I have used? (I think I used simply Halfords car paint). Not keen on hammerite as I have had problems before getting smooth matt finish.

Link to pictures: http://www.ps8steam.co.uk/stuart-500.html

Edited By Kevin Murrell on 04/11/2018 12:20:34

Heat resistant engine paint from the car parts store works well. It sticks to motorbike cylinders so should stick to a boiler. Not usually used over an etch primer though so you will have to experiment with that.

If paint color is black, barbecue paint is pretty bulletproof too.

Hi Kevin, E-tech heat resistant engine enamel is good. Or in a smaller colour range at car shops is VHT exhaust paints.

regards

looks like Hopper beat me to it

Edited By Oldiron on 04/11/2018 12:39:27

Barbeque paint works well

from b&q

sorry missed Hoppers suggestion 

Edited By Ian Parkin on 04/11/2018 12:52:44

I used Precision Paints enamel on my 3" scale traction engine cleading which has 4mm insulation. I've only steamed it for 1 year but no problems with the paint. However, if you can get the heat resistant paint mentioned above in the colour you want then go with that.

Nigel

We sprayed a 16mm loco with U-Pol primer and Halfords (acrylic?) car paint, looked fine until the loco was run, when the paint on the boiler cladding started to soften and bubble. I have heard that baking it for some time immediately after painting helps, but haven't tried that yet, instead I will probably try to get some cellulose paint or enamel. Heat resistant paint on the smokebox seems to work OK over etch primer though.

Brian

I do know that E-Tech car engine paint is very good, well on car engines anyway. You can find it on Ebay, I think it is said to be good to 250 C.

Machine Mart do a heat proof paint for stoves. Only available in matt black but heat resistant to 650 degrees C.

There used to be Cylinder Black for motorcycle cylinders. Probably still available from motorcycle shops.