What is the best Color for an Engine?

[The Garbone]

Since guns and anchors are pretty played out and to chart some new ground on a completely subjective I have started this pole.

I have my new motor sitting in my garage and besides the standard checkout I plan on a repaint.

I am leaning towards yellow (caterpillar), however white seems to be the best choice.

I also work with a fellow who says gold (Mercedes) is actually proven to be the best for spotting leaks.

What say you o wise bards and bardettes of the interwebs?

[delmarrey]

This was brought up a couple years ago but being and engine rebuilder, for marine motors I prefer white, or orange as a second choice. It's EZ to see leaks and hot spots that need to be dealt with.

[Panope]

I was a crewman on a yacht owned by a very, very successful farmer named Pete. Pete liked...no he loved white. All his John deer tractors - white. His car - white. The new road grader his wife gave him for X-mas - white. The fence posts around is fields - white. The lower sections of the telephone poles near is fields - white. The Detroit Diesels in his yacht - white.

Pete's friend Dave was vacillating on what color to paint something on his boat. With typical Pete swagger, he removed the ever present cigar from his mouth and said "Dave, it's all ********........paint it white".

Steve

[captain58sailin]

I like a light blue.

[HappyMdRSailor]

"SailorChick Purple" is the latest trend....

[captain58sailin]

If your engine is kept clean as long as you don't use a dark color you should be able to spot oil leaks readily.

[boatman61]

Fluorescent Red....

[SimonV]

Jet Black. Oil leaks can't be seen so they don't exist just like a tree falling in the forest.

[Torch]

I voted grey but must admit that Pete makes a persuasive argument.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

"SailorChick Purple" is the latest trend....

Don't forget tie dye ala zeehag lol.

[ontherocks83]

Any light color that will contrast oil, and coolant if you have leaks. Or let your freak flag fly and go with something that will be a conversation starter. (i.e. you are boarded and during the inspection they see you have a pink engine. That may be a good enough distraction to end the inspection early because you know they're going to ask what you were thinking)

[captain58sailin]

Good strategy, maybe hang a disco mirror ball in the engine compartment with a flashing strobe.

[skipmac]

A dark, red/brown color so the rust doesn't show.

[BerettaRacer]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

Good strategy, maybe hang a disco mirror ball in the engine compartment with a flashing strobe.

I don't have a disco ball, but virtually all my engine rooms have quad stereo speakers, and the music cranks all day.

ps: I voted white, because thats what most boats I'm on have, but I did a boat for a guy a few years ago, metallic red, heavilly chromed, with all s/s braided or blue silicone hoses, polished deck plates and black/gold custom carpet, looked awesome, boat sold first day on the market. Long time ago was working on a old boat, four old Detroits that needed cleanup, painted them with what I called "full Heinekin green" 'cause I usually had a Heinekin going while I painted, lol.

[leftbrainstuff]

White. Navies of the world can't be wrong.