best way to prep engine for paint??

[BArTY]

i dont have access to a sandblaster or the like, so i'm trying to think of the best way to prep an old greasy engine for paint. i was thinking of soaking the pieces in a degreaser or some kind of solvent?? i'm not sure the best way to get off all the grease and sludge. i'm going to be rattle can painting it as well. so priming and painting after its been degreased. any ideas or stories??

 

[pdixon81]

Somewhere on here there was a post about making a cheap sandblaster out of a plastic tube and air spray nozzle. If you don't have an air compressor, I would suggest maybe a wire brush and a few cans of brake cleaner.

 

[Wee Todd]

How about a few cans of beer and a wire brush

 

[BArTY]

How about a few cans of beer and a wire brush

thats exactly what i'm thinkin

 

[slushie07]

Get the aerosol degreaser and a few wire and nylon brushes, that works pretty well and then make yourself a little soda blaster if you have access to an air compressor and soda blast the parts, that should give you a nice finish for paint.

 

[BArTY]

Get the aerosol degreaser and a few wire and nylon brushes, that works pretty well and then make yourself a little soda blaster if you have access to an air compressor and soda blast the parts, that should give you a nice finish for paint.

haha funny you should mention air compressor. i'm actually rebuilding the engine to my air compressor and thought i'd paint it, spruce it up a bit. little side project. only problem is i can no longer sand blast or soda blast the engine i'll hit it with degreaser and a wire brush, it wont see it coming!

 

[tWistedWheelz]

DO NOT SOAK ALUMINUM IN ANY DEGREASER!
Not a good idea!
This is what you need:
Lots of time
a few beers
multiple wire brushes (different sizes)
multiple wire wheels for a hand drill (different shapes and sizes)
few sheets of sand paper about 220 grit should be fine
foam sanding block 220 grit as well
super clean brand degreaser in a pump up sprayer
water in a pump up sprayer

You can figure it out from here!

After your cleaning is done, wash WELL with water, let it dry, then wipe it down with a lint free cloth and some acetone right before spraying!

 

[BArTY]

DO NOT SOAK ALUMINUM IN ANY DEGREASER!
Not a good idea!
This is what you need:
Lots of time
a few beers
multiple wire brushes (different sizes)
multiple wire wheels for a hand drill (different shapes and sizes)
few sheets of sand paper about 220 grit should be fine
foam sanding block 220 grit as well
super clean brand degreaser in a pump up sprayer
water in a pump up sprayer

You can figure it out from here!

After your cleaning is done, wash WELL with water, let it dry, then wipe it down with a lint free cloth and some acetone right before spraying!

awesome!! thank you for all the details, i think i got it from here.

another question though, about the internals. how would i go about cleaning these out? all i can think of is spraying with carb cleaner then re-lubing with engine oil. alot of sludge buildup inside the engine, but parts look very clean under the sludge.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

You got it on internal cleaning, you may know, but just to put it out here, DO NOT CLEAN THE VALVE SEAT LANDS OR THE VALVE SEAL LAPS WITH WIRE BRUSHES!

Soft nylon brush is fine and the best tools you have.....FINGERS!

It may take a while and you may have to soak the shit out of them, but a wire brush will destroy your seal!

 

[BArTY]

You got it on internal cleaning, you may know, but just to put it out here, DO NOT CLEAN THE VALVE SEAT LANDS OR THE VALVE SEAL LAPS WITH WIRE BRUSHES!

Soft nylon brush is fine and the best tools you have.....FINGERS!

It may take a while and you may have to soak the shit out of them, but a wire brush will destroy your seal!

good call on the nylon brush for cleaning the valves, just dont tell the girl where her tooth brush went