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Detroit Diesel White Paint?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by hughdunlop, Nov 27, 2016.

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  1. hughdunlop

    hughdunlop Member

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    Can someone tell me the paint code , best brand etc for my rebuild.. Thanks
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Rust-Oleum gloss white. Brushed or micro sprayed.
    Not from their spray can unless you want Everything covered in white.

    There was a Cat owner who wanted factory Cat white. Comes one part also in gallon (only) cans.
    I can not find the Cat part number.
    I'm sure there is an MTU/Detroit part number also for their white paint.

    With my eyes, I can not tell any difference between the Cat & Rust-Oleum paints (wet, dry, new, old).

    10 years ago I painted my 12V71TIs with the Rust-oleum gloss white. Used up just over 2 qts for both mains & clutches.
    Some to cover old Detroit Green on some replacement parts.
    All still looks great.

  3. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    x2

    Agree!

    Rustoleum Gloss White.

    you can even buy it in small cans for touch ups

    I apply it as needed with a chip brush out of a small call for touch ups. great stuff

    I try not to spray paint, It seems to take too much time to mask off or tinfoil off to protect from the overspray.

    but if you must spray, Rustoleum makes a gloss white spray paint that comes in larger spray cans, I forgot what it is called, I think the can is silver, it can be sprayed at different angles and is quick drying, its worth a few extra bucks.
  4. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    So it sounds like rust-oleum holds up fine to the heat?? How about the turbo?
  5. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    I have not painted the turbo.
    but I have put it on the exhaust manifold.
    Check the label, I think its good up to 400 degrees. (so a no go for turbo)
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The un-cooled exhaust pipe from the head to the water cooled log (manifold) will burn off any paint.
    You will smell a burnt paint odor for a bit so don't try to pile up paint on these areas and lessen the concerned operator smelling something burning..
    Use your boat and this exposed area never turns into a rust issue. Usually a nice and heavy cast iron pipe here.
    Water cooled turbos can be painted also.

    IMO, never paint a dry turbo. Even header paint will make a smell that will concern you till it's gone.
    Wire brush them, wash with soap and water. air dry, (compressed helps). Re-cover with the ole Detroit foil covers or your later blankets when they are real dry.
    Never run dry turbos with out some kind of (REAL) heat shield on them.
    No wd-40, Bo-Shield, corrosion block, oil from your hands or paint on the un-painted turbo.
    Use you boat and these areas will stay toasty , dry and should not rust up (much).
  7. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    Agree to all!
  8. hughdunlop

    hughdunlop Member

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    Thanks guys....
  9. Davidoc

    Davidoc Senior Member

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    Here is one more for you guy's. I use Phospho. It seems to etch the surface and stop the rust if you have any developing. then wipe before painting with an appropriate cleaner. If you want to be bold you can paint those beauties with Imron Emerald Metallic Green. Mine were painted that color when I bought the boat. I chip brush everything by hand. Of course the paint is meant to be sprayed. The water cooled turbo's get Awlgrip Gloss Black along with the starter.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Caterpillar white. It's around $8 at the CAT dealer and goes on great, lasts great and easy to find again.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I was trying to suggest staying away from the canned spray paint.
    The cans of Cat paint (not spray) only comes in gallons.
    The Rust-Oleum does come in quarts.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I like the CAT spray paint and my guys have used them on a bunch of jobs, it goes on great and lasts great and easy to clean.
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Easy to clean from the black after cooler housing, black air tubes, black rocker covers, fuel lines, water lines, serial number tags, pulley & belt covers, starters, alternators, heat exchangers, motor mounts & black mesh wire harnesses?
    Or any other device in the E R? OR exhaust fan blades?

    The last thing I want anybody to think about in my ERs, is aerosol overhaul.

    We do not use spray paint cans in, on or around any of the boats we work on.
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2016
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Hang on, I forgot we were talking about old Detroits.
    Some of my above examples may not apply.
    I went off in Cat world. Cummins may apply to my comments also.
  15. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    We wrap all that stuff with Aluminum foil and tape, no overspray anywhere. The Cat paint dries very quick so honestly the overspray isn't very bad at all.
  16. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Pints even !
  17. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    yea, I like to buy the small cans, its so much easier to work with,
  18. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    I agree and if you don't use it up you're not wasting too much product.
  19. hughdunlop

    hughdunlop Member

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    So , the Cat paint will match what is already on my DD ? It is the original DD white , or J & T white , not sure....I just figure I will not need to paint it all......
  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Hard to say. Who knows what brand of paint is on there now.
    DD didn't start using white till later Penski years. J/T, Covington, Pan-tropic and others had their own shade of white. I remember a double long block combo painted red.

    After a few months, if it doesn't match at first, it will.

    If your really concerned, purchase a pint of Rust-Oleum. Put in on various places and get back to us after a few hours of operation.