Topic: Clear coat on bare engine

[MessnerMoto]

I have a question regarding clear coating bare engine. Cases are really fine blasted(3nm-7nm fine glass particles) almost like waterblasting finish.
Covers are polished then brushed a little bit because I didnt like high polished finished.
Cylinders and head are fine blasted... then hand brushed.

I am thinking about clear coating complete engine. Also other option is to leave it like this.

But if I leave it unprotected maintenance becomes really hard. Just to start with that I would need to use washing agents without sodium salts etc...

Dose anybody have any suggestions on clear coats suitable for that. Preferably European companies because it is hard to find US products in Eu...

[drumstyx]

I talked to an independent mechanic around here when I was looking to get my head done cheaply (ended up sending it to MRieck anyway!) and he clearcoated everything before putting it back together. He was reckless IMO though, he said it was fine on gasket mating surfaces of cases etc.

I decided though, that I'd rather deal with straight dirt and a bit more maintenance of the aluminum than the potential ugliness of a failed clearcoat that requires blasting or stripping to get it off (which would require engine disassembly!!) leaving me in the same place as bare aluminum would.

There are products that help with aluminum maintenance -- I forget what it's called, my vapour blaster sells it.

[pjlogue]

When I repainted my engine I used Eastwood's high temp engine paint for the case, cylinders and head.  Engine covers I used Diamond Coat clear.  Both coatings have proved to be fuel/solvent proof and are holding up well. 

I tried quite a few clear coats and was not happy with the results.  Some were yellow and some were not fuel proof.  The Diamond Coat Clear was the best I found for retaining a bare metal look.  It is a very hard durable finish.

-P.

[MessnerMoto]

I talked to an independent mechanic around here when I was looking to get my head done cheaply (ended up sending it to MRieck anyway!) and he clearcoated everything before putting it back together. He was reckless IMO though, he said it was fine on gasket mating surfaces of cases etc.

I decided though, that I'd rather deal with straight dirt and a bit more maintenance of the aluminum than the potential ugliness of a failed clearcoat that requires blasting or stripping to get it off (which would require engine disassembly!!) leaving me in the same place as bare aluminum would.

There are products that help with aluminum maintenance -- I forget what it's called, my vapour blaster sells it.

I am leaning toward living it as it is and using AC-F50. I am really afraid that clear coat will be ruined very quickly on head and cylinders because of the heat

When I repainted my engine I used Eastwood's high temp engine paint for the case, cylinders and head.  Engine covers I used Diamond Coat clear.  Both coatings have proved to be fuel/solvent proof and are holding up well. 

I tried quite a few clear coats and was not happy with the results.  Some were yellow and some were not fuel proof.  The Diamond Coat Clear was the best I found for retaining a bare metal look.  It is a very hard durable finish.

-P.

Thanks on clear coat suggestion but it is a little but different if you put it directly on aluminum.

[Stev-o]

Have you considered vapor blasting?

[MessnerMoto]

Have you considered vapor blasting?

It is almost vapor blasted. I used glass beads with sizes of 3nm to 7nm. Cases are shining to much. I don't think vapor blasting would give much better finish. Also engine is assembled like you can see it in pictures
Nevertheless you need also to maintain vapor blasted surfaces with some protection..

[540nova]

Boeshield T9 or Dry Coat by Workshop Hero will preserve your finish, no maintenance required


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MessnerMoto]

thanks, I already have similar ACF-50

but did somebody successfully clear coated the engine?

[Duanob]

That's a beautiful looking engine. I'd hate see if you got a bad batch of clear coat that turned dingy or yellowed. I clear coated some engine parts on my boat and within 6 months all those parts started yellowing.

[Bankerdanny]

The engine on my project bike has painted cases, jugs and head and polished valve and side covers. The case is mostly hidden by the carbs and exhaust anyway, so a nice silver should keep them looking good with minimal maintenance on my part.

[MessnerMoto]

That's a beautiful looking engine. I'd hate see if you got a bad batch of clear coat that turned dingy or yellowed. I clear coated some engine parts on my boat and within 6 months all those parts started yellowing.

thx for info... Yes I am afraid this yellow thing will happen also to my engine.

I want info of somebody who tried to clear coat sohc engine? Does that person exist ?

[PeWe]

I glass beaded my pilot lamp/steering rod holder/upper tree back in the 80's. Clear coat on and it looked good. Sikkens 2k clear coat. I do not know if it withstand 120C.
This was done 1983 to season 1984. Photo below is from 2013. It has withstand chicken #$%* since bike was long time stored in my friends barn with hens sometimes running around and furtilized my bike. That #$%* removed everything it landed on.

I should use a good engine paint. I saw one CB750 case painted in Mercedes 2k silver gray something engine paint. Looked and felt really good.

[MessnerMoto]

I glass beaded my pilot lamp/steering rod holder/upper tree back in the 80's. Clear coat on and it looked good. Sikkens 2k clear coat. I do not know if it withstand 120C.
This was done 1983 to season 1984. Photo below is from 2013. It has withstand chicken #$%* since bike was long time stored in my friends barn with hens sometimes running around and furtilized my bike. That #$%* removed everything it landed on.

I should use a good engine paint. I saw one CB750 case painted in Mercedes 2k silver gray something engine paint. Looked and felt really good.

sorry to here that

Yes there is difference if clear coat needs to keep up with 120-140C. And also there is a cooling heating cycle...