Topic: Finish Options & Techniques for Aluminium Engine Case Covers?

[Kenzo]

What are the finish options for aluminium engine case covers?

In addition to the case covers I plan to soda blast the engine and paint it...the finned jug and oil filter will probably get a darker paint(I love the darker jugs/two tone look) and the rest silver paint.

The PO decided to take a heavy wire wheel probably chucked up in a drill to clean my aluminium  engine case covers. Luckily only did the tops before making a total mess. I took a 120 grit flapper sander wheel in a Dremel tool to remove the grain and deep gouge marks out leaving areas of a smooth brushed finish and oxidized factory finish. Thought I'd try my buddies glass blasting cabinet. The beads are fairly well used so I was working with more like fractured glass than beads. Pic attached of the uniform flat finish glass blasted case but it's way to rough to be easily maintained.

My buddy said it could be clear coated but the finish will darken like when it wet. I like the flat finish but it needs to be something easy to clean and maintaine.

Painting and or powder coating, not really what I want to do.

Parts tumbler was mentioned an option, not sure what finished part looks like. Ether buy one or have it done.

Polish it myself or pay and have some professional polish the parts. I can live with the occasional re-polishing and cleaning.

Any other optional ideas, experiences or recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Kenzo

[Powderman]

If you want to avoid maintenance and ease of cleaning you don't want that bead blasted surface. Any oil that gets on it will spread in a big circle and you'll need to be cleaning it often. The guy who said clear coating it would turn it gray is correct. I love the look of freshly bead blasted aluminum, but you can't protect it with anything. Vapor Blasting is a very good option, where instead of the beat up glass you used , they use a true glass bead (not crushed glass media) mixed into a soapy water slurry. It peens and seals the surface of the aluminum and leaves an easy to clean surface. It's shot cold so it doesn't cause any friction warpage that can be an issue with media blasting.
http://www.vaporblasting.biz

[Stev-o]

I'm shipping an engine to Nils tomorrow for Vapor Blasting.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150819.25.html

[Trad]

I had my hubs, stator, and points covers vapour blasted and I can attest to the smooth, easy maintainable finish. A great way to go.

[Don R]

 I wet sand with 320 then use a red scotchbrite wheel on a die grinder. Then my favorite aluminum polish.

[Kenzo]

I have a 750 cam cover that has been sand blasted and has that dull textured finish to it now. If I had it vapor blasted what do you think the finish would look like?

Heya Branden,

It depends somewhat on what media was used to blast it, and just how peened the surface is now. A cam cover that's spotless as yours is is short work for me - if you will cover the shipping I'll do what I can to smooth it out for you with my equipment just in the interest of seeing if I can repair that kind of thing. It will definitely be better.
Possibly a lot better.

My address:

Nils Menten
RestoCycle LLC
850 E Ohio St, Suite 17
Tucson, AZ, 85714
(520) 308-3705
nils@restocycle.com

Best,

N.

OK well twist my arm why don't ya! In the name of science and experimentation I will ship it out.... SWEET!

Might take me a few days though.

OK Branden, your parts arrived, and I think you will be very happy with the result. For those of you playing at home, here's what he sent and here's what is going back on Monday:

A nice 750 valve cover, in excellent condition, plus 8 tappet covers, an oil filter housing, and the breather cover for the valve cover. Spotlessly bead blasted, but a little heavily. This would be an enormous PITA to return to nice looking aluminum by hand, go ahead and ask me how I know :-). That Kawasaki hub is in these first photos for visual reference of the finish on his parts vs a "done" part. 



Close up of the surface and the tappet cover:


Inside:


OK kids, everybody in the pool!


Before:


After:


Before:


After:


Before:


After:


Before:


After:


Before and after :-)


Detail:




Done!


Packed:


Shipped:


You should have it by Wednesday Branden.

Next!

N.

This looks like the ticket for me. I can repair the PO's wire wheel hack job attempt on the cases, glassed blast them to 80% and send them to Nils to finish with his vapor blast at hopefully a reasonable price.

I'm definitely NOT glass blasting the internal side and gasket surface of my parts...probably wouldn't request them to be vapor blasted ether, unless there's a good reason.

Looking at the motor this morning I'll probably be compelled to do the cast intake runners and valve cover. I can't say I've seen the 550F valve covers with a polished or satin vapor finish. With the darker painted jug/cooling fins (not black maybe a gun metal or cast iron color) I have planned I think it will look sweet!

Thanks in advance,
Kenzo

[NobleHops]

Heya Kenzo,

Thanks for the note, and I can definitely help you. The first part Branden sent me (as you saw) was also blasted and it looked excellent after vapor blasting, and being so spotless and with all the oxidization and clearcoat removed, it was less work (less expensive) to do. Your part(s) will be the same. Hit up my website for ordering info, and I'll turn them around in 24 hours for you - that's a fast and easy project.

With regard to blasting the inside with dry media, yes, as you said, definitely do NOT do that - you run the risk of dimensionally changing something. I can run around the gasket surface with the vapor blaster and that won't do anything but help that.

Steve-o, Branden, thanks a ton for the good words.

N.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Vapor blasting is a great way to go, and Nils is a member here so give him some support!

[NobleHops]

Vapor blasting is a great way to go, and Nils is a member here so give him some support!

Thank you Don. you're a gentleman and I appreciate it. This is a fantastic community, and I will do my best to provide an outstanding service for anyone that wants to work with me.

N.

[calj737]

..and I will do my best to provide an outstanding service for anyone that wants to work with me.

As if you knew another way? Stop teasing us, Nils 

[NobleHops]

..and I will do my best to provide an outstanding service for anyone that wants to work with me.

As if you knew another way? Stop teasing us, Nils 

LOLOL

Thank you Cal, that was a perfectly timed lift. I will return it to you some time :-)