Hope I've posted this in the right place, I want to refurbish the exterior of my SS engine without sandblasting etc. Can I get away with applying Nitromors to strip back the corroded/paint flaking areas then refinish with high temperature paint? Or is there a better way?
I would test Nitromors on a hidden bit of bare casting if I were you..........I have a feeling it does for aluminium........and Sodium Chlorate most ceratinly does!! Also watch out for some Hi Temp paints..........Many won't function well unless they are baked on, and engone heat alone isn't enough......Also many aren't solvent proof.
Thanks - I guess I'm looking for some advice on how to approach this job. If there's a better way (even if sandblasting and powder coating is the best method) I'm all ears.
Sandblasting is fine as long as you block off every hole, thread, manifold, etc etc etc........ Whether the grit is sand, walnut shells or beads, I can't advise..... .......However, having looked at the Ducati engine castings, most of it seems to be sand-cast......so sandblast might be best..... The 80's Guzzi engines were just that, no paint...easy to clean and scrub over if you wanted a bit of shine to it. If wanting powder coat, there are even fake chrome effects available these days, but I would be a little worried if I had my engine powder coated when it was assembled, then you had to remove a casting...........the joint is going to damage the powder coating IMO. Personally I would try somethig like Nitromors and hope for the best...........then polish the smooth cases and leave the sandcast finish bare.
dont buy the nitromors you can get now it is useless,i have tried it and might aswell poured coffee on the engine,i got some good stuff from my local car paint supplier,its like the old nitromors,after you use that blast it all off with a power wash then go over it with wire wheels in a drill,its a bit of a long job,i used PJ1 depending on the colour your doing, mine is satin black,i have just found out the hard way it isnt petrol resistant untill its cured.
STARCHEM PAINT STRIPPER 5 ltrs this is what the alloy wheel refurbishers use. As a general rule, if it comes in a metal tin it's cXXp!
Will a stripped bare engine casing stand the test of time? I'm actually in favour of this method having rubbed down the clutch cover to bare metal and it looks good. I bought some acid etch primer and vht paint thinking I might go down that route but might well be taking those products back to the shop.. Also, can anyone advise how to remove the large rubber 'seal' from inside the clutch cover? Seems to have a thin spring around the inside edge but don't think that's what's holding it in place. And the oil level indicator - how does that come out?
Most VHT paint from the car accessory shops (Hycote and Sperex/Simoniz) isn't solvent resistant, so one petrol leak or a misplaced blast of WD40 will have it coming off. Says AL, who has it on his exhaust headers.
well @ck_uk, I'm painting mine (carby SS) mainly as it's cheaper and waaaay less hassle (IMO). Soda blasted the whole thing to get rid of the old paint and any loose surface stuff, etch primed the whole thing, then rattle can engine paint. Done it before (only on cases though, not full engine) and worked nicely. Clearly, pouring petrol over it would probably ruin it as AL says, but I tend to try not to do that where possible... Seem to be able to get a decent finish with the spray cans - good enough for me, at least. We'll see how it turns out. MICK..
Has anyone used this chap? Ducati engine | eBay Here's his website: Stephen Smethurst.....I'm tempted to try him for the peeling paint on a DS1000 motor, but I'm not too sure about the technique! Motorcycle and Automotive Casting Renovation Service Any thoughts?
I persuaded my local workshop to lend me their soda blaster. Bought the soda online and did it myself. Piece of cake. Effing messy, mind. So only about 30 notes all in. It wasn't as spectacular as I'd hoped, but seems to have done the job. Soda rather than sand as a) I could do it myself, b) I only really wanted a surface I could paint on, c) it's not invasive, and d) a few folk recommended it. There's pics in my "750ss project begins" thread. Mick..
Thanks Steve good to hear that. When I say overhaul, the whole engine is in bits ready to be rebuilt with new gearshaft. The casing doesn't have to be perfect, I just want to do the best job I can without breaking the bank.
If you are keen on having the casings like a 90's Honda and staying that way, you could try these guys: Why Coat Radiators, Intercoolers, Oil Coolers And Casings? I've got my motor out at the moment and its going to get soda blasted then probably a decent HT paint, I suspect the price of ceramic coating may be more than a set of Hi comps and a re-bore
Camcoat did my radiators for me. Excellent finish and has the advantage of increasing the heat dissipation as well.
