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How do I remove engine paint?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by RusteeGold, May 15, 2018.

  1. RusteeGold

    RusteeGold Active Member

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    I bought a used engine for my Seca 750 and I want to strip the faded paint off the engine so that it is just aluminum. I tried paint remover... let it sit for 30 minutes... nothing happened. The paint is still on the engine. I hesitate to use a sanding agent (sand paper) because I'm afraid it will scratch the engine fins. I don't have a sand blaster and besides that seems rather extreme and I don't want to accidentally get sand inside the engine...

    Any ideas on how to get the faded engine paint off?

    Thanks,
    Rustee Gold
     
  2. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    aircraft paint remover is the better paint remover very smelly use heavy rubber gloves. may take a few applications to remove it all


    soda blasting is an option
     
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  3. RusteeGold

    RusteeGold Active Member

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    I see that some people use walnut shells to do "sand" blasting. Looks like you can get 25 pounds from harbor freight for 22 bucks. Has anybody had experience with the walnut shells?
     
  4. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    your going to need a pretty good compressor to do that, shells will get everywhere, just like sand.
    i think 25 lbs is for a cabinet to recycle the stuff. i tried everything i could think of, then i painted it
     
  5. DAGGAGH

    DAGGAGH New Member

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    I have recently purchased an ultrasonic parts cleaner and chemicals for about $250

    cleans off covers and yamaha black paint completly in about 15 mins with no damage to the aluminium
     
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I'd be surprised if it removed the clear coat that was put on at the factory before the black trim paint was laid down.
    The whole of the engine was clear-coated to keep the aluminum from oxidizing to flat grey.
     
  7. DAGGAGH

    DAGGAGH New Member

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    cleans up all paint and grease although you do need to coat the alloy fairly quickly as it will start to oxidise (rust). Does allow you to polish the casings and reapply clearcoat

    also using it on the carbs to clean em before the rebiuld and cleaned the calipers after 30 years of wear. Much better that bead or shot blasting

    I might post of video of the headlight bucket being cleaned
     
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  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    What solvent is being used?
    Is the tank big enough to dunk the head and other castings into?
     
  9. DAGGAGH

    DAGGAGH New Member

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    running a six litre model - should have bought 10 litre one coz wont quite fit head in one go but can do it half in half out

    got the SS tank with built in heater off ebay

    [​IMG]

    chemicals are Kleentek’s ALLOY System is a two-part chemical application formulated to remove organic soils, and paint from either ferrous or non ferrous metals. It is not cheap at $300 for 5 litres x 2 bottles but you only need 1 part in 10

    I am sure that the chems and cleaner are cheaper everywhere but in Australia and we use 240VOLT here so have to cautious which power plug and voltage etc
     
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  10. DAGGAGH

    DAGGAGH New Member

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    some parts after 5 mins in tank

    thats the clear coat coming off the alloy part

    upload_2018-6-15_21-57-56.png

    thats the yamaha black paint bubbled off
     

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  11. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    That looks perfect! I can't afford the cost given how few projects of that type I generally have, but I'm sure that others will be appreciative of the information.
     
  12. cds1984

    cds1984 Active Member

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    Had a look at the stuff, looks good except the little note at the bottom of the page http://kleentek.net.au/shop/ultrasonic-chemicals/alloy-system-stripper-decarboniser/
    <SNIP>
    Special Note:

    The ALLOY System is generally safe to use on steel, cast iron, aluminium and zinc. But it is not safe to use on magnesium.
    </SNIP>
    I am no metallurgist but... I thought these case were aluminium/magnesium rich alloy. What could it possibly do to the magnesium portion of the alloy? or do they mean just magnesium by itself and not in an alloy? hmm looking for the msds, wouldn't mind buying some if the latter.
     
  13. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    From what I can figure out (with fairly mnimal research) the Disodium Metasilicate that is the key component of the ALLOSalt-L portion of that system is reactive with magnesium, and promotes corrosion of it.
     

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