Topic: Oxidation?

[550Resto]

Hey all, is this oxidation or clear coat that's peeling? I'd like to get the points cover, alt cover and chain cover cleaned up and possibly paint them that nice matte gray color. I like chrome and shiny, but more to clean and keep shiny. Any help appreciated. Also any cleaning methods.

[mrbreeze]

I like mine polished. It is more work but worth it (to me). It is clear coat that is peeling on yours. I use a citrus based stripper and I like to have the cover off of the engine but since you plan on painting yours you can leave it on. After stripping you will want to do some sanding but be sure to clean the surface real good before applying paint.

[mrbreeze]

I still need to get my frame kit welded in before I continue reassembly.

[drumstyx]

I still need to get my frame kit welded in before I continue reassembly.

WOW.

How did you get the valve cover so perfect? I polished all my cases too, but the valve cover I just couldn't get perfect. The whole bike looks fantastic from 4 or 5 feet away, but you can tell I suck at polishing if you look close.

[mrbreeze]

When you think you are done polishing.....go back and polish some more!

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Hey all, is this oxidation or clear coat that's peeling?

I could be wrong but I don't think the engines had a clear coat.  Regardless, once the paint deteriorates the corrosion starts.  I'm with Mrbreeze, I like shiny and the nice thing about a polished surface it's not so difficult to maintain - a painted surface is a little more difficult to touch up.  On my bike I started with having the entire engine vapor blasted which removed all the old paint and dirt.  On the cases I used progressively finer Scotchbrite pads sprayed with WD40 to give them a satin look - a mirror polish is achievable but you will drive yourself insane getting into all the nooks and crannies.  The bolted on side covers I wet sanded by hand (again progressively finer) then followed with a polishing on a buffing wheel and polishing compound and then a final hand polish to give them a mirror shine.  It's a lot of work but drag out a case of beer, turn on the music - it can be quite therapeutic.

[mrbreeze]

They definitely have clear coat. I've seen it bubble up on the cover. Maybe not the cases but the covers do. You are correct about the low maintenance. A little time and Mothers has it all looking pretty again.

[jonda500]

+1  IMO not a clear coat - I think only the wheel hubs and carb bowls & caps were originally clear coated - I think all the other aluminum colored parts are coated with aluminum color paint.
John

[ekpent]

 I'm with Breeze as to thinking the case covers had a clear. I have stripped it off before with furniture stripper also. As for paint,especially black, it can look like crap after awhile if not done correctly or the bike cared for. I have a couple old projects that I dread getting the old chipped,faded and peeling nasty spray bomb paint off.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

I have stripped it off before with furniture stripper also. As for paint,especially black, it can look like crap after awhile if not done correctly or the bike cared for. I have a couple old projects that I dread getting the old chipped,faded and peeling nasty spray bomb paint off.

Ekpent, stripping paint, grease, carbon from an engine can be a PITA during an overhaul.  I have spent countless hours with nasty chemicals and suffer god knows what sort of brain damage sniffing fumes and at the end I'm never pleased with the end results (cleanliness not brain injury).  My last engine overhaul I had the engine vapor blasted which removed everything and it looked like it rolled off the assembly line.  Nice thing about vapor blasting is it's gentle and doesn't change dimensional fits/tolerances.  It cost me $200 which for me was worth while considering how much I would have spent on stripper and brake cleaner - not to mention the many hours of scrubbing.  It's well worth it!

[drumstyx]

Vapour blasting is the way to go. I had just about everything aluminum vapour blasted, and whatever I didn't polish still looks great.

[Smudgemo]

Send stuff to Nils at Restocycle in AZ https://www.restocycle.com/vapor-blasting

Parts look like new: