Properly painting the short block

Machinist hate epoxy paint. When cleaning and prepping a block for machine work it gets in everything . My son has me strip them and its not easy. Also ruins the glass beads It creates a dull finish if using afterwards . Several coats of paint stripper and wire wheel helps but it still sucks get off.

Light coats of engine enamel is the best. I guess if your motor is exposed like in a street rod it needs to shine. otherwise just a coating to prevent rust is fine. I don't know anyone that waxes their engine. And as far as clear it turns yellow . I did my intake and it turned ugly yellow. Now I just spray cast aluminum parts engine color or cast aluminum color. Maybe I didn't use the correct clear?

Here is a comparison of the intake and heads after time with clear on it. You can see the intake turning yellow. and it got worse before we pulled it. last picture is a good example. And the car was only driven to race or to shows.

Also I would never paint another engine black again.