Not all aircraft paint is the same. There are many different types of aircraft paint, one of the most important being engine enamel. It’s commonly used on turbofans, turbojets and turboprops. To learn more about engine enamel paint and how it differs from other types of paint, keep reading.
What Is Engine Enamel Paint?
Engine enamel paint is a type of surface paint that’s designed specifically for engines. It’s available in different colors and finishes. Regardless, engine enamel paint offers a barrier of protection by shielding engines from heat, corrosion, chemicals and debris.
Why Use Engine Enamel Paint
Aircraft engines are regularly exposed to heat, humidity, oil, fuel and airborne debris. Over time, exposure to these things can degrade aircraft engines. It can cause them to develop rust or corrosion, or it may even result in mechanical damage. Fortunately, engine enamel paint offers a solution.
Engine enamel paint will protect aircraft engines from damage such as this. It works by forming a waterproof and dustproof barrier over the engine’s surface. As long as the paint remains intact, chemicals and pollutants won’t be able to reach the underlying engine material.
Beyond protection, engine enamel paint improves the appearance of aircraft engines. Unlike automotive engines, aircraft engines are often visible. Therefore, civilian pilots and commercial airlines alike will paint their engines. It enhances the engines’ aesthetics by making them look clean and colorful.
Common features of engine enamel paint include the following:
- Protects against oxidation and related damage.
- Heat-resistant
- Durable and long-lasting
- Designed specifically for use on engines
- Doesn’t peel or flake off
Types of Engine Enamel Paint
There are several types of engine enamel paint. While they are all designed to protect engines, there are nuances between them. One of the most common types is acrylic. Acrylic engine enamel paint is fast-drying, easy to apply and offers long-lasting durability.
There’s also ceramic paint. Ceramic-based engine enamel paint offers superior heat resistance, making it ideal for high-performance aircraft. It contains micro-sized ceramic particles that reinforce the paint, making it more resilient to extreme heat.
Finally, there’s epoxy enamel paint. It’s characterized by the use of an epoxy agent and a curing agent. Epoxy enamel paint features two components that, when mixed, will begin to dry. After drying, it will form a protective barrier over aircraft engines. Other types of engine enamel paint, such as acrylic and ceramic, only consist of a single part and lack a separate hardening agent.
