Topic: Sand blast or chemical?

[ncstatecamp]

I'm setting up to paint and powder coat stuff (everything but the frame). I have the engine out and was wondering if anyone could tell me if there were any negatives to sandblasting (disassembled) the valve covers and upper case (fins? Sorry brain fart the term is lost on me at the moment).

The internals and matting surfaces would be blocked off and protected during blasting. So what are the down sides or things I'd need to watch for?

[Duanob]

this comes up quite a bit. try using the search function. I think soda blasting is the answer definitely not sand blasting aluminum.

[wrenchmuch]

The most abrasive blast media you want to use on engine parts is glass bead. A real good wash or 5 is a must after using it. Even if you cover all the places you don't want it to go.

[Kickstart]

I'm thinking about re-assembling the engine without the internals, and having it soda blasted.

I might make my own gaskets out of some gasket material and/or reuse some of the old ones, instead of using new gaskets.  I figure this way there should be no way for any of the gasket surfaces to be affected, and should be easier to keep media out of areas it shouldn't be.  I'd still have to plug/tape up the vent tubes, install spark plugs, plug the main sprocket hole, and plug up the hole on the timing side.

Not really required for soda blasting, but might be a good idea if you're using a more aggressive medium.

[Bob Wessner]

How a out dry ice? Might cost a bit more,  but danger of stray, damaging residue.

[BeSeeingYou]

There was a thread not to long ago about a catastrophic engine failure after the cases were blasted/engine rebuilt caused by leftover blasting media.  It's difficult to get it all out.  Be very careful.

[ncstatecamp]

How a out dry ice? Might cost a bit more,  but danger of stray, damaging residue.

How would you use dry ice?

[736cc]

On really grimy motors and frames, I use EZ OFF oven cleaner. Agitate w/ a heavy paint brush. Plug off intakes and exhaust w/ milk bottle caps and saran wrap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Valve cover and other aluminum covers should get re-finished via polishing (or ceramic; my fav)

[ncstatecamp]

On really grimy motors and frames, I use EZ OFF oven cleaner. Agitate w/ a heavy paint brush. Plug off intakes and exhaust w/ milk bottle caps and saran wrap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Valve cover and other aluminum covers should get re-finished via polishing (or ceramic; my fav)

Does that strip paint too? And the covers in that pick, are those painted or polished?

[RAFster122s]

Easy-off, a lye based product, will often discolor aluminum to a medium to light flat grey color. Not sure what it does to aluminum alloy used in cases and side covers. It isn't easy to Polish past the grey oxide from that exposure w/o sanding it past ...

[Bob Wessner]

How a out dry ice? Might cost a bit more,  but danger of stray, damaging residue.

How would you use dry ice?

Not a DIY thing. Has to by a shop that does this with the proper equipment. Blasts parts with fine granuals of dry ice, it then just sublimates to C02 gas leaving nothing behind.

[RAFster122s]

Search for it on YouTube and you can find video of dry ice blasting being demonstrated. It is used for aircraft sometimes if I recall correctly.