Topic: Engine cases

[beemerbum]

Does anyone know of a chemical that will remove the old clearcoat from aluminum engine cases?  This as an alternative to sanding and other abrasive methods.

[seanbarney41]

If you can get a paint stripper that still has MeK in it in your area, that will work, not without some labor...the amount of labor is inverse proportion to the amount of MeK in the stripper...so yeah, if all you can get is "green" or "bio-safe" etc., you might as well start sanding.  And let's no forget that MeK truly is nasty stuff not to be played with.

Another approach?  I recently was hanging at my favorite local restoration shop where they had a quite nicely preserved, but long sitting idle, cb750k6.  They had chosen to media blast the valve cover with walnut shells.  This valve cover was in overall #3 original condition with just slight discoloration and scratches in the clear.  The walnut shells were soft enough to polish the remaining clear, removing some of the lighter discoloration, and feather the edges of the scratches and bare spots bringing the cover back to a #2 condition, in my opinion.

[BenelliSEI]

The barrels and cylinder head I had vapour blasted recently came back spotless. My first experience, but based on what I saw, my next pair of cases starts there.

[MauiK3]

Vapor blasting looks like the best choice as long as cleaning is thorough

[CycleRanger]

I have used this on aluminum with good results.

[HondaMan]

I use the "Aircraft Paint Remover" from Ace Hardware. It is the fastest at removing the old paint that I have found to date.

[RAFster122s]

Castrol Super Clean has worked for me in the past to strip the clear…
 Requires a good soak and then a very thorough rinse to remove any residue. It is super alkaline, so wear protective gloves. I usually put on several pair and any that start showing signs of swelling or degradation I strip off immediately. Super Clean is really nasty stuff.

A coarse synthetic stripping pad can help scrape off the clear as it loosens up.

I have to use the stuff outside as it can give me a raging migraine. I use an organic solvent respirator around the stuff even working outside. Cover the container you soak parts in…

[MauiK3]

I've used Citrus Strip paste. It goes on easily and stays put, it takes time and you need to cover it so it does not dry out. It works fairly well but requires patience. I've never found anything like the bad old stuff we used to get here.

[Ellz10]

Does anyone know of a chemical that will remove the old clearcoat from aluminum engine cases?  This as an alternative to sanding and other abrasive methods.

Not a chemical, but I wholeheartedly agree with vaporblasting. I swear by it, if done by someone who knows what they're doing.

[beemerbum]

Does anyone know of a chemical that will remove the old clearcoat from aluminum engine cases?  This as an alternative to sanding and other abrasive methods.

Not a chemical, but I wholeheartedly agree with vaporblasting. I swear by it, if done by someone who knows what they're doing.

Agreed that vapor blasting creates an attractive surface on certain parts. My concern is not cylinders or engine heads. I am interested in removing the ancient finish on what will be highly polished engine case surfaces.

[RAFster122s]

Sanding is part of polishing...if chemical stripper or Super Clean don't cut the clear coat you will have to just steadily sand it off to prep the parts for the buffer...
Powder coat shops will use a very strong stripper to prep parts sometimes...
MEK is the typical ingredient that cuts through almost any coating...
And gloves, etc...
Dangerous stuff, so, if you resort to chemical strippers then take proper protection precautions.

Problem vapor blasting something you intend to polish is you have wasted that finish as you are going to be sanding the parts to 600-800 grit level and don't want the peened textured finish left by vapor blasting.

[Ellz10]

Problem vapor blasting something you intend to polish is you have wasted that finish as you are going to be sanding the parts to 600-800 grit level and don't want the peened textured finish left by vapor blasting.

Agreed - I didn't see the part about him having it polished