Where primer is necessary, I've found that Plasti-Kote Sandable Primer does the best job. I wouldn't be able to conclusively say whether its adhesion is better or worse than other primers but what impresses me the most about this stuff is coverage, dry time, top coat time and sandability.

This stuff covers especially well so you need fewer coats to get the job done. It also dries faster than any other primers I've used and can be top coated sooner as well, and that means there's less time wasted waiting for dry times. I'm also impressed with the sandability - it can be wet sanded, sands more easily and sands without the usual streaking of some other primers.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.

Although Grey primer is probably the most commonly used, I prefer to use Black primer to prepare areas of the Maxim-X engine. Black Plasti-Kote Sandable Primer has the same characteristics as described for the grey primer above but the darker colour has some benefits.

Chipping is inevitable so a lighter coloured primer will result in more noticeable chips. Where black primer is under black paint, chips are less likely to appear and less likely to draw attention... and that's good. This stuff is a primer I like to keep handy at all times.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.

When it comes time to repaint the engine of your Maxim-X, you'll discover that most high temp paints are FLAT Black rather than GLOSS Black and that most engine enamels are only rated up to about 550°F (288°C). For the Maxim-X, a higher temp gloss black paint would be better and the only one I know of is this Caliper Enamel which is rated for 900°F (482°C).

I've used this particular paint often and it coats incredibly well. It can be recoated in 10 minute intervals and dries to touch in only 30 minutes. It dries to a fantastic gloss black finish that resists chipping, cracking, fading and even chemicals. To improve on an already great finish, this paint can be baked at 200°F (93°C) for an hour. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only sensible choice for restoring the gloss black finish of the Maxim-X engine and frame... but be careful because VHT also sells the same paint in a SATIN BLACK finish. The two cans look very similar so be sure to examine the cap and the product sticker closely to make sure you get the GLOSS BLACK that matches the factory Maxim-X paint.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.

There are some areas of the Maxim-X which you might want to touch up with high temp Cast Aluminum colour, particularly the front brake calipers. Like the Gloss Black Caliper Enamel, the Cast Aluminum VHT Caliper Enamel suits the task perfectly... even more so since the paint was designed specifically for brake caliper applications.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.

Strictly speaking, there are no stock applications for Gold high temp Caliper Enamel if you plan to restore your Maxim-X to it's original appearance... but there's always room for creativity. Some people have accented their Maxim-X in gold and others have even painted the cylinders gold. My personal preference would be to paint the cam cover black and gold rather than the stock black and bare aluminum. Whatever your choice, if heat is an issue or even if it isn't, VHT Gold Caliper Enamel is probably the best choice over other gold paints. For all the reasons already mentioned above, this paint is an excellent choice.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.

Although I haven't used it yet, based on the performance of the other VHT Caliper Enamels mentioned above, I'm inclined to think that this high temp Clear Coat would work well for hot or cold applications. Careful - this stuff is available in both GLOSS CLEAR and SATIN CLEAR so look closely before you pickup the wrong one.

After I've tested this clear coat on a painted surface I'll be sure to amend this comment accordingly. Meanwhile, VHT Gloss Clear Caliper Paint is, I suspect, the best performing high temp clear coat available and suitable for use on the Maxim-X.

In Canada, this paint is stocked at Canadian Tire.