66 Ducati 250

[SeekingZero]

Around the time of my last post, I was recommended something called Rub n' Buff. Apparently, old airhead guys have been using it on their engines for longer than I've been alive to bring back the lust of the old weathered aluminum cases. So I ordered a $6 tube from Amazon. Oh the sheer joy and satisfaction this little tube elicits!

Here are some side by sides. See if you can spot the raw aluminum vs the Rub 'n Buff...





I even used it on the carb!



Forget painting! I can't wait to get back and finish the rest of the motor. The fins are quite time consuming, but I can't argue with the results! Incredible!

[doc_rot]

a friend of mine thats into BMWs told me about that stuff as well. I never tried it but he says it makes cleaning the engine alot easier because all the pores are sealed.

[45exmayor]

What finish rub and buff did you order.  When I went on their website he only thing that looks close is one they call pewter.  Thanks. Rick

[SeekingZero]

a friend of mine thats into BMWs told me about that stuff as well. I never tried it but he says it makes cleaning the engine alot easier because all the pores are sealed.

That's what I hear to and it makes sense.

What finish rub and buff did you order.  When I went on their website he only thing that looks close is one they call pewter.  Thanks. Rick

Yes, pewter is the color I ordered. There is a silver one also that matches a bright aluminum, but wouldn't be very good on engine cases.

[DesmoDog]

Around the time of my last post, I was recommended something called Rub n' Buff. Apparently, old airhead guys have been using it on their engines for longer than I've been alive to bring back the lust of the old weathered aluminum cases. So I ordered a $6 tube from Amazon. Oh the sheer joy and satisfaction this little tube elicits!

Cool! I hadn't heard of that stuff, I'll have to try it out.

This might not help (and it looks like you're done already anyway) but to clean up the cylinder on my 160 I chucked it up in a lathe, spun it (not fast) and used sheets of Scotchbrite to clean it up. Much easier than doing it all by hand though probably not an OSHA approved use of a lathe…

Exchanged your sidecovers for pre-polished ones, huh? That's cheating!  ;-)

EDIT: I just checked out the link you provided about the kickstart spring fix. Surprise surprise, it uses pics of my 160 screw up as a warning to others! I'm still embarrassed by that… anyway, better to show others than to hide it and let them repeat my mistake I guess. I don't mind that they're there, it was just a surprise to see them.

[VonYinzer]

Very cool. I've always loved these motors.

[Dale]

Just had a read through this now. Man! I hope I can find an old Ducati some day! :-)  Its one of my dream builds. Looking awesome.

[Erskine]

Sweet, quite jealous.

[SeekingZero]

Thanks guys, glad you all are enjoying it. Until you guys can get your own Ducs, you'll just have to live vicariously through DesmoDog and I! 

Cool! I hadn't heard of that stuff, I'll have to try it out.

This might not help (and it looks like you're done already anyway) but to clean up the cylinder on my 160 I chucked it up in a lathe, spun it (not fast) and used sheets of Scotchbrite to clean it up. Much easier than doing it all by hand though probably not an OSHA approved use of a lathe…

Exchanged your sidecovers for pre-polished ones, huh? That's cheating!  ;-)

EDIT: I just checked out the link you provided about the kickstart spring fix. Surprise surprise, it uses pics of my 160 screw up as a warning to others! I'm still embarrassed by that… anyway, better to show others than to hide it and let them repeat my mistake I guess. I don't mind that they're there, it was just a surprise to see them.

Definitely try it out. For the cost, its worth just having it on hand! What I've learned from my previous builds is what I can do, what I want to do, and what I'm alright leaving others to do for me. Polishing is one of those things that falls into the latter category...

I knew that was a 160 in the pictures, I was thinking those photos looked familiar! Small internet huh?! Thanks for going through the headache so the rest of us can learn. That is predominantly one of the reason I take the time to post these builds.

More to come!

[SeekingZero]

Finished "finger painting" the motor tonight!