Hey guys, I'm working on my car now and I would like to paint the engine accessory brackets (my car is a 91 so its a serpentine belt system) silver and my water pump black, and I might paint my rocker covers silver as well. My plan is to use the electrolysis method of removing the rust off of the water pump (place it in warm water mixed with baking soda and running electricity from a car battery charger through it) and then just hitting it with black engine enamel; same with the rocker covers assuming I do those. As for the aluminum parts, I heard that I might have problems with the engine enamel sticking to it. Is this true? What would you guys do?

And here are some pictures showing what I'm dealing with:







Thanks!

 

I'd say have the aluminum parts glass-bead blasted... then it looks like brand new aluminum. Looks excellent.

...but if you do wana paint them, just use the right primer (a self-etching primer) and the paint should stick just fine.

 

The blasting would probably be the best for what I'm looking for... I forgot about that. I just hope it's not too pricey!

 

The blasting makes them look new...but not for long. If you go that route, you'll have to disassemble everything anyway (you'll need a puller/installer for the p.st. pump! the torx bolts re behind the pulley) might as well have them powdercoated silver. Looks alu, never smudges ...easy to clean.