Topic: Engine cleaning....

[katmol]

I've got a couple of '77 CB750 I picked up over the winter that need cleaning real bad. They set outside under an open shed for about 10 years in Idaho. Both run OK and no real sun damage to paint but the motors are really oxidized. Anybody know of a good product to help with that. Yea, yea I know "elbow grease". What about something like Aluma Bright to get started? 

[Gordon]

Almost every exterior surface of the engine is painted.  The jugs and cases are painted an aluminum color, and the valve cover, stator cover and shifter cover are clear-coated, IIRC.  The easiest way to clean up the oxidation on the clear-coated parts is to strip/sand off the clear and then polish them.  These parts will then need to be polished on a regular basis to keep the oxidation at bay.

As for the jugs and cases, once the oxidation gets underneath and the paint starts flaking off, the only way to actually clean it up is to repaint.  If it's only really bad in certain places then you can get away with spot painting if you find a good match.   

[mk2jettavr6]

simple green is working wonders for me... for wheels use a product called Chrome Wash  coomes in a gallon jug  removes 90% of the rust on everything chrome with little effort on your part!

[flopshot]

etching aluminum wheel cleaner is mean but if it's in bad shape anyway what's the difference ?   after that hit it with Gunk and bronze wool.  does a decent job if the paint's not spotty.   as mentioned bare aluminum will need constant cleaning and protection.