Old Engine Cleaning

[guest288]

Hi Guys
I'm trying to clean up my xbr engine from all the salt corrosion and muck from the past few years. I don't want to split the engine as I know its running well. I was thinking of getting it blasted but that would leave it a dull grey colour. Ive tried alloy cleaner, wire wheels, all sorts of stuff but it still looks pants. Any other ideas for cleaning? If I got it blasted could I paint it with a high temperature paint? Originally I was thinking of silver, but what about black with polished cases? What do you think?
Dave

[guest288]

Ok, so I've been soaking the thing in Gunk, and with a nylon brush the worst of it is coming off. Its not coming up very bright though, which is really what I was after. Anyone else had this?

[bullet350]

 all the cleaning agents aren't as good as they used to be- probably some european law about being able to drink a couple of litres without dying.

 i used nitro-mors (not as good as it was) and scrubbed it onto an ally petrol tanks with wire wool.
 i won't come up gleaming but it should get all the crap off ready for polishing to whatever degree you want. one tip; wear gloves and long sleeves, it burns like a bugger!

 bullet350

[turkeyuk]

hi Dave, if you can fabricate some covers for your inlet & exhaust ports & seal them well plus your crankcase breather & oil hose unions i can vapour blast it for you?

[guest288]

That would be great- I have the ports blanked already, just need to seal the oil unions and breather. Maybe I can get that done today or tomorrow- where abouts are you?

[turkeyuk]

Im in Lincolnshire near Louth

[guest288]

Ok, I'm in essex near the dartford crossing- I would have to bring it up in the back of my works car, I work quite a bit at the weekend so i'd have to let you know when I can make it if that's ok?

[turkeyuk]

Hi Dave thats no problem, i work from home so anytimes good for me

[guest288]

Ok, thanks. I'll have a word and see when I can bring it up to you- how long do you think it will take? Would I leave it with you and return to pick it up? I take it you would like it as clean as I can get it?

[pigafetta]

Hi Dave

I've used High temp aluminium paint on my CB900 casings with matt black VHT on the barrels. The
ally paint looks pretty good and hasn't fallen off yet.

Dave

[turkeyuk]

Ok, thanks. I'll have a word and see when I can bring it up to you- how long do you think it will take? Would I leave it with you and return to pick it up? I take it you would like it as clean as I can get it?

Hi Dave, i can do it while you wait, if you allow 2-3 hours for it to be done, it sounds like you have done quite a bit regarding paint removal & so on, if it is bare alloy it will come up well. If it is as clean from oil & grease etc as possible that will be ok.

[Steve Lake]

dear Mr turkey

I'm in norfolk, and planning a visit to batemans brewery soon, would it be possible to bring my srx lump up to you for a wash and brush up?  (I assume you must be near Cadwell somewhere?) and could you let me know the cost?....thanks in anticipation

Steve

[turkeyuk]

Hi Steve, no probs, im not far from cadwell, as ive said to Dave i can do it while you wait or you can drop it off for a few hours, if the engine is whole then every possible opening has to be sealed & air/water tight in order for it to be done & degreased as best as possible & paint stripped if you are wanting a bare alloy finish. I usually charge £100 for an engine in individual pieces as it takes longer, but as i can get a single lump in the cabinet in one go id say £50 to fellow members, cheers, Paul 07931 904279

[Steve Lake]

Good man Paul....I'll be in touch.....cheers

[guest288]

Hi Paul

I may have to make it in the new year- the run up to xmas is busy for me, is that ok?