Painting Cylinders, etching primer?

Tried an etching primer on my V-Rod wheels several years ago. Didn't take, every time the wheel got bumped there was a chip in the paint to base metal. Need to strip them but took the chicken shit way out and got a second set of wheels. The bearings need replacing in the front one and I haven't been able to get it out.
It laughs at my slide hammer ID race puller. Going to have to use heat.
As bakeable paints go though I've been happy with the VHT Engine Enamel even without primer. Smells up the kitchen a bit but once done it's as durable as powder coat.
You need to look at the temp ratings of the paint first though, can't be any higher than 500°
I tried some 1200° stuff once on some steel parts, in the oven at my typical 400° and the stuff came out as soft and chalky as when first applied. Had to strip and use the lower temp stuff
I never really cared for the looks of the V-rod but I don't think I ever rode a cruiser that was as much fun as a V-rod. They were about as nimble as a bike could be with a seat height that low with loads of power.
 
...every time the wheel got bumped there was a chip in the paint to base metal.

I tend to agree with what has been said previously about rattle can etch primer.

One thing to bear in mind is that you only need a thin coat of etch followed by a thin coat of ordinary primer.
One cause of paint chipping easily is to apply the principle of 'more is better'. The thicker the paint the easier it will chip particularly when fully hard and the paint has become brittle.

As a guide you are aiming for a thickness of around 120 microns; primer 20 microns, colour coat 60 micros and a clear coat of 40 microns
 
One thing to bear in mind is that you only need a thin coat of etch followed by a thin coat of ordinary primer. One cause of paint chipping easily is to apply the principle of 'more is better'.
This was something that took me a long time to wrap my head around. Just in general, I always had a tendency to apply to much primer.
 
I painted the commando’s cast iron barrels with duplicolor engine primer and then used the aluminum paint.

I haven’t baked in the oven yet to cure.


Prepped raw cast iron:

BA8363FC-4CC9-4F94-807C-B81344BE8F71.jpeg


Primer:

C3E7E642-AF01-472F-8CA2-FF4CEB3E67B2.jpeg


Finished:

1C63A4C6-0A55-4326-B572-1D5326475C75.jpeg



https://www.duplicolor.com/product/engine-enamel-with-ceramic/


This was the same paint I used on the xs650 (minus the primer because I don’t think it was readily available at the time).

It has held up but did stain/ discolour slightly in a spot where gas leaked.
 
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