Any reason to paint aluminum engine?

I've been watching Pete's Garage and the guy is just fantastic. He covers engine painting in some episodes but doesn't really dive into reasons to paint it.

Tacoma's engine is mostly cast aluminum. Are there any practical benefits (beyond the aesthetics) for painting an aluminum block, heads or covers?

 

It will either look cool or like the 3rd gen Taco, lol

 

But wouldn't it also trap heat or at least hold it?

 

I am jealous you guys have a bright pink fan clutch. Mine is flesh tone, lol

 

Quite a few race engine builders will paint aluminum blocks flat black to help dissipate heat. Not sure if it actually does or not, but it SOUNDS plausible....

 

Oh no you didnt.

 

whaaat? how does that work.

 

Aluminum oxidizes, don't you have to protect it from the air itself? I'd paint it.

 

Powder coat and be done

 

Paint would just act as an insulator. IMHO leave it alone.

Unlike iron rust, which flakes off, oxidized aluminum forms a water and air tight coating that protects the rest of the metal. In a sense, Aluminum is self coating.

 

Agreed. But eggshell, flat or semi-gloss? Or maybe even gloss?

 

RRiiight....

 

Again it just depends on where one lives.

The liquid brine just loves aluminum.

 

Bob Ross painted his.