Thanks for all the kind comments
Simon, as I'm not aiming for a mmirror finish on the mainly cast parts of these engines I'm happy to just use aerosol cans so this is what I use. They all come from our largest chain of motor accesory stores called "Halfords"
Upol "High #5" high build primer or Upol "Acid #8" etch primer
Acrylic spray - colour of choice
Petrol Resistant Lacquer, this is a clear gloss topcoat meant for things like the outside of motorcycle fuel tanks, gives a nice depth and gloss to the paint.
As for whats next, well there is a barstock opposed twin 4 stroke aero engine but that may go into Model Engineer mag, will know by this time next week, if not it will be here. There is also another doubled up steam subject all fabricated with a range of method such as welding, silver soldering, cutting from solid and JBWeld/screwed, this seemed to interest a couple of members here who got their grubby mits on it yesterday. That will definately start here very soon
J
J