cleaning a dirty engine for paint job

[loosegoose]

hi,
I have stripped my 1989 down to the last. However the engine is perfect and i dont want to strip it. I want to paint the engine black as it was very grubby. I have tried Gunk and a tooth brush and a power washer but it still looks bad. Is there any other way to clean up the engine without sending it for bead blasting?

[a_morti]

Brass brush.

[Kai Ju]

When I prepped mine for paint I used Honda Brite and a variety of scrub brushes, none of them metallic, sorry morti. I also used wet red scotch brite pads to prep the surface for painting.
I also advise against using a pressure washer since they can overcome the seals and gaskets that are not supposed to seal more than atmospheric pressure.
You know the surface is chemically clean when the water sheets instead of forming droplets.
My engine was painted a couple of years ago and I haven't had any problem with paint comig off.
Be fastidious and take your time. Remember the old saying that there is never enough time to do it right the first time but there is always enough time to do it over........

Good luck.

[loosegoose]

thanks guys

[a_morti]

Good tips above. Still say brass brush for around exhaust ports etc but yes it will mark the metal if too enthusiastic. Brass not steel!!!

[Bubba1982]

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[loosegoose]

To strip the bike took a couple of weeks but in actual hours about 12. I did it at night when i had a gap. the hardest part was trying to get the the swinging arm off. The shaft was rusted in. I ended up having to cut both sides with a junior hack saw. I am all done now but putting it back will take some doing......first I have to powder coat the frame and wheels. I may have to replace the front forks as the old ones are rough and look like they have been repaired. All the smaller parts have to be bead blasted and then I have to replace wheel bearings, head race bearings, swinging arm bearings, respray the tank, mudguard, and tail piece. The engine has to be cleaned and sprayed. Then all the bits have to be assembled. I reckon the rest of the winter! I hope to have it back on the road by April or May.