How To Paint Your Engine Bay with Rattle Can Paint

Painting an engine bay is not hard. Painting anything requires prep and cleaning to get great results. This goes far beyond cleaning your engine bay. Using a rattle can to paint an engine bay is cheap and easy. With a little effort, it will look like new. I am very pleased out how well my engine bay painting turned out.
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[@mentaldan666]

I'm actually really busy at work today, but there are just some things in life you don't ignore. A notification from HM is one of them. The customer can wait an extra 5 mins 50 secs 😂

[@HumbleMechanic]

Just show them the video, they will understand. LOL

[@YerBrwnDogAteMyRabit]

HumbleMechanic Just show anyone that's been waiting on you, for what ever reason, the vid. "Ma'am, I believe this will explain everything to your satisfaction" and hold up your phone. "Oh, I see. take your time then, sonny.."

[@rodrigoorozco1722]

Daniel Y

[@Gunbu]

The earplug in the bolt hole idea is great.

[@finneycent83]

I'm loving your videos lately, it looks like the time not being at the dealership has really improved the time for some humor in the videos. Keep up the good work and can't wait to see the VRT goodness.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you so much! I am glad that shows on the videos. I have been trying to tune up every aspect of what I do. For real, thank you

[@DanD9969]

Thank you for posting this. I am well into doing the same project; and had contemplated using aluminum foil for masking the wiring I can't properly remove, the brake lines ... and bagging the brake booster and ABS module. I am contemplating making a spray booth for just the front of my car out of some PVC, Fittings, and Plastic drop cloths a few old furnace filters, and some box fans (to control the dust and over-spray). Contemplating media blasting (soda likely), using some self etching primer, and getting busy with some Urethane I got from Eastwood (lucky that their retail store is 15 minutes from my house).

[@CrimsonSw1ft]

I'll make sure to bookmark this, I always wondered how it's done. Thanks for the video! :D

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi HumbleMachanic. Fabulous preparation work and top finish once again...........😊 I did this on an old MK3 Cortina 1.6 GT with my mates back in the day lol 😊 We use to love racing Golfs hehe. I find what your doing really interesting. Big thanks from Stevie 🇬🇧

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

Can't wait to see when your done. Now I got the itch to buy my old jetta vr6 back...enjoyed the vid. Cheers

[@YerBrwnDogAteMyRabit]

I like all of your stuff, but this is BY FAR my favorite project. What you do is real, down to earth, and achievable by a regular guy. I'm sure some "purist" would hate the idea of rattle-canning a bay, but it's silly to put a Lamborghini budget into a 98 GTi. This (and the sub frame) are huge improvements that allow you to put more $ where it belongs: into the engine, oh and suspension and wheels too I suppose..Awesome job.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you! also thank you for seeing this for what it is. You're right I don't have an unlimited budget, so I put the cash where I think it will do the best. :)

[@upsidedowndog1256]

The original paint that doesn't flake off is excellent primer. I like to use self etching primer on bare metal. Yours looks pretty good!

[@thereandback1313]

Another great video, thank you HM.

[@wyattoneable]

Solid content Charles!

[@sparkplug1018]

Great video, hit all of the key points, well done. One thing id add though, is do not paint a contrasting color over the factory paint. It may look cool having that black (or what ever other color) engine bay. But I can tell you, you will drop stuff and nick it up. And nothing looks worse then the old color popping through your new paint.

[@KGisthename]

Repaint and touch up! I work in a body shop so its easy for me.

[@UEGSamurai]

Love the MIB reference! Great video!

[@HumbleMechanic]

:) so glad people get that joke.

[@samwisegamgie8163]

I like the MIB 2 reference. looks good I will be doing this to my saturn in a few weeks thanks for the tips.

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL, I seem to use that a lot, and I worry no one will get the joke... Thanks for getting the joke.

[@Johkah]

wait what? what reference? mind telling me?

[@samwisegamgie8163]

Bryan Estep in men in black 2 when they bring back agent K and he wants to drive their new car will smith refers to the new one as the new hotness and the car from men in black 1 as old and busted.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Rattle canning the bay is very satisfying for the DIYer ad youre not after as good a finish as the body. The foil trick is great.

[@franciscopena9238]

Dude the ear plug tip genius 👍

[@HumbleMechanic]

It really is awesome. I even reuse them

[@autovmcomposites9997]

Wow dude, i love your videos!

[@codyfeatherstone553]

Love it that's how it done 😍

[@jhuntosgarage]

Nice job!

[@gasratzcustoms]

Great video!

[@jeremywhittler8591]

Self etching primer. Open metal stabilize with converter/or grind and apply sealer/self etching/top coat. All rattle-can available.

[@svenema7]

when rattle can spray painting bare metal, I usually first spray a layer of zinc as rust protection, is that a good idea???

[@asiasmaster]

Cool, did you sand the side fenders too

[@rader1175]

Thanks for tips, alum. foil great idea & ear plugs.

[@x-man4702]

What paint color did you use to match the factory alpine white ?

[@rustybrowneye]

Whats that projest u got goin on there

[@Raccoonsareawesome]

A solution between regular spray paint and a spray gun, is to use a 2k-spray can with a spray handle attachment. Btw is there any regular spray cans that's oil och fuel resistant?

[@mushy18100]

Hi, how many rattle cans of white paint did you consume in the engine bay? Btw, great vid....

[@BeaudoinMotorsports]

only the Best of Thumbnails. haha Great Job!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks! The peeps on Facebook helped out a lot here!

[@BeaudoinMotorsports]

HumbleMechanic i saw! landslide pick haha

[@davidduma7615]

I want some of that Mechanic's Foil at 2:56

[@garrisongarage1505]

Something else you can use to mask off areas like aluminum intakes and other parts is Vaseline... Some times it sticks better than tape and prevents paint from getting on things you don't want to paint... Good for painting the engine while in the engine bay...

[@hebanks4252]

Hey Humble Mech. does paint stand up to heat? Won't it change colour from the heat?

[@HumbleMechanic]

So far it's been awesome.

[@Suprakid23]

New hotness 👌

[@L4ND.SH4RK]

"BAG" graphic hahahaha. Nice tip with the foil and earplugs. Hurry up and get on to the star of the show 4:41 lol

[@joshwelland]

Do you recommend using a high temp spray paint?

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Josh Welland that's what I did

[@1987Isuzupup]

got to say I've been there before spending 2 years cleaning rebuilding buffing wire wheeling cup brushing tapping up parts to paint making stuff better but I did it all just for a valve spring to crater and destroy a freshly rebuilt motor and had to junk it I miss my old truck

[@HumbleMechanic]

+1987Isuzupup damn that sucks

[@1987Isuzupup]

HumbleMechanic God know your right on that man it was a 1991 Isuzu space cab I pull it out of a guy back yard it been back there for 12 year with the motor tore down the brakes wore rust locked parts wore missing it was a basket Case and I was so close to getting tag's I was driving around she gave up the ghost but the odd thing was the way it broke down it was the same as 12years before it just odd

[@scottholt2]

Strange to see a MK3 that hasn't rotted away to nothing, Here in Nova Scotia Canada if you got 12 years out of yours with out the floor falling out you did well. You guys no nothing of corrosion and are so lucky.

[@saracen7774]

Nice..i use cling film instead of foil.

[@TheHateuguys]

Castrol super clean and a paint brush could have saved you some toothbrush action while you had the power washer out.

[@Travelingman-1980]

Did you sand with up to 240 grit before laying down the primer or paint? If you didn't, you did not allow for mechanical adhesion of the paint or primer. Should be interesting to see how long this paint job lasts.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Travelingman 1997 yes the "scuff step" is in the video.

[@05AcuraRSXtypeS]

Why did you leave the firewall halfway covered and/or did not remove the white overspray?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I Wanted to leave some to be sure I had a good place to show how to remove overspray. I didn't clean it all because that will all get covered. Not sure if I am doing the OEM heat/sound shield or aftermarket.

[@05AcuraRSXtypeS]

HumbleMechanic ah I see, said the blind man as he picked up the hammer and saw... great vid!

[@tullgutten]

good tip is also heat the can to at least 20 degree Celsius but not to hot so the can wont spatter as much, recommend a 2K clear over it, if not then any fuel spill or strong degreaser/detergent can dissolve the paint (Brake cleaner kills ALL 1k paint without proper clear coat over it) If the car is getting a crash damage later and gets a professional respray it may wrinkle up on rattle can paints (some Acetone based at least, but not all) this happened to my car, the hood was sprayed with some cheap rattle-can and painted properly later and it all went to a shitstorm of wrinkles so it had to be sanded down to bare metal and primed with a special primer from Wurth than can blend with "most" 1k and 2k paints and clears (1 day job ended in a 4 day Expensive job). Go over the whole engine bay with White Spirit ten let it dwell for 5 ish minutes, apply again then wait 2 minutes before spraying it down with degreaser and a high pressure washer before going if for the deep clean to take the worst of easy.

[@johnterpack3940]

You can also hit the plumbing supply aisle at your local home improvement store to find an assortment of rubber plugs to fit larger holes. They aren't as cheap as tape, but they are quicker to install and can be reused almost indefinitely. Just pop it in the hole, twist the wingnut to snug it down, and on to the next one.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That’s an awesome idea

[@johnterpack3940]

@@HumbleMechanic I have my lucid moments. I set out to write an entirely different comment but wasn't sure it would have amused others as much as it amused me.

[@zuilok]

While this is a great tutorial, I must say that when it comes to engine bays, a simple brush and a can of paint can really be your friend, its much cheaper than rattlecans, you avoid most of the masking process, you can easily get a heavy coat of paint without drips and theres no spray dust everywhere.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+zuilok I may just try that on the next one

[@letsgobrandon5858]

Are you serious? I'm getting ready to paint my engine bay and saw Eastwood had some paints that apply with brush.

[@DrivenbyGears]

ow did you get the split video? what program?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I use Final Cut Pro X

[@DrivenbyGears]

HumbleMechanic ty sir

[@Davidd419]

I like the aluminum foil trick, thanks.

[@boostaddict_]

Hmm... Maybe I should work on my MK2. It needs an engine swap, maybe I'll pull everything out and paint it while I'm there.

[@JSchrumm]

Where is the link for the lame mib quote?

[@HumbleMechanic]

+James Schrumm link?

[@criticalthinker7822]

The Bag part. Lol

[@OnTheFloorGarage]

great tip accidently paint it white... touch it up with black paint on a Q tip! Make a puddle of paint with a black spray bomb!

[@itsjussjerry]

What were your results with primer vs no primer?

[@HumbleMechanic]

About the same. Lol

[@L4ND.SH4RK]

omg that toolbox lol

[@frosborg]

Did your beard go full santa claus after this?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Nah it actually did pretty well. LOL

[@nickolastiguan]

#bag

[@Fisher1903]

I made the mistake of using rattle can clear. Turned out dull and crappy looking... now I have to sand it back and start again :(

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have had poor performance with rattle can Clear too.

[@itsjussjerry]

Spraymax 2k clear is the shizznit

[@kdash3215]

That bag noise was oddly satisfying, lol

[@HumbleMechanic]

I kinda (aka completely) stole that idea from Honest Movie Trailers.

[@deadlyhydra]

one of those while your in there jobs :)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahhaha it a blessing and curse

[@Jet3ch]

You didn't tape off your beard man!

[@IIGrayfoxII]

Men In Black reference

[@cockus123]

What if I don’t wanna use high heat?? Wtf I want glitter that’s why. U can’t do sick colors when u use the high heat cans

[@HumbleMechanic]

Glitter it up!!!!

[@johndoe3441]

Just wire brush it and use a scotch bright rins paint fuck it

[@Johkah]

Spray Can.

[@7138t]

Second

[@alexanderbarr]

Old busted hotness.

[@worldhello1234]

Dear humble American mechanic, what's the point of painting an engine bay that hasn't been a repair job and is not exposed to the elements as the rest of the car? I mean you won't send your car to the SEMA anytime soon, right?

[@DavidBrownFan]

First.

[@jamesofallthings3684]

You scuff as you're cleaning. Spray down with wax and grease and use scotch pad. Two for one. Use brain.

[@saracen7774]

Nice..i use cling film instead of foil.