Whats the best way to clean up old engines?

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01 Sep 2009 19:18 #318395 by Circle_u
Whats the best way to clean up old engines? was created by Circle_u
I have a couple of old bikes that I can get running, but the cases have become, for a lack of a better word, chalky.

Any ideas on how to clean them up?

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01 Sep 2009 19:29 #318401 by doped304
Replied by doped304 on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
I never have any luck with chemicals. Sandblasting is by far the fastest way, glass beads work good on jugs and cases t]it keeps them shiny. A cheap gun cleaning kit with a variety of bronze brushes and a drill is a good start before more drastic measures are taken.

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01 Sep 2009 23:56 #318488 by donthekawguy
Replied by donthekawguy on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
Read this post. kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...=13&id=312886#313311

I had good luck with a wire brush I found at the hardware store and a dremmel. For the brush go to Ace or True Value and look for a set of five brushes. Look for the pack that has one in it like the one in the pic. That is the only wire brush I have found that won't wear out or fall apart in five minutes.
Rathdrum Idaho
1971 Kawasaki g3ss
1972 Yamaha R5 350
1965 Suzuki Hillbilly
1964 Yamaha 125

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02 Sep 2009 06:20 #318527 by chance
Replied by chance on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
All the engine cover can be fine sanded and polished. The fins and block I use brasso and a wire brush and PLENTY of elbow grease. :(

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  • arai59
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02 Sep 2009 06:24 #318529 by arai59
Replied by arai59 on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
This has been posted before but I have the cases and related aluminum parts soda blasted. Cleans up with water. Very safe.
640
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02 Sep 2009 06:27 #318531 by chance
Replied by chance on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
Digg the Fro Bro....

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02 Sep 2009 07:14 #318540 by Russ Jackson
Replied by Russ Jackson on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
arai59 wrote:

This has been posted before but I have the cases and related aluminum parts soda blasted. Cleans up with water. Very safe.

640


Was it done on the bike?...Russ
1976 KZ 900 B1 29 smoothbores, Kerker, Lester Mags
2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 abs

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02 Sep 2009 09:11 #318566 by aaron3874
Replied by aaron3874 on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
I found that light media or glass bead blasting works good. Didn't sandblast the side covers though - I sanded with different grades of sandpaper until I could polish with compound.

If I could go back, I would have painted the engine after it was blasted to keep from corroding again.

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02 Sep 2009 09:54 #318571 by Sinners Saint
Replied by Sinners Saint on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
Stupid question, but what is soda blasting? I've heard of bead and sand blasting but not soda blasting.

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  • Skyman
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  • 1978 KZ1000-B2 LTD 1982 KZ1000-M2 CSR
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02 Sep 2009 10:00 #318572 by Skyman
Replied by Skyman on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
Sinners Saint wrote:

Stupid question, but what is soda blasting? I've heard of bead and sand blasting but not soda blasting.


Same principle as bead/sand blasting. Different blast media--plain old baking soda.

The benefit is that it is less likely to cause pitting or scaring, and it dissolves in water, making clean up easier.

With bead/sand blasting, you have to be EXTREMELY meticulous with cleanup to make sure all grit is flushed from interior passages.
West Linn, OR

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02 Sep 2009 10:02 #318573 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
Take a look at this thread on budget soda blasting:

Budget Soda Blasting
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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02 Sep 2009 10:36 #318585 by Sinners Saint
Replied by Sinners Saint on topic Whats the best way to clean up old engines?
WOW! Thats pretty cool, I'm gonna have to try that one out. I have a few projects that need sensitive cleaning done and that looks like it'll do the job proper.

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