How to clean a top end?

Q

quadracer351

Coast to Coast
I'm working on a 74 cb750 right now I have the engine out acc on a stand to clean and strip the factory paint off. Everything so far is going great and the bottom end is coming out perfect but next I need to tackle the top end. I was wondering how most of you go about cleaning and stripping the top end? My original plan was to get a hot water power washer and just using that along with the engine degreaser I'm using and aircraft stripper. But after finding out that a hot water power washer cost 200$ a day to rent that idea quickly died. I'm looking to get the top end as clean as possible especially of grease since I'm planning on pairing the top end and want the cleanest surface so the paint adheres.

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To save money I was leaving the engine all in one piece. I wasn't planning on splitting the case or removing the top end so I'm not sure if bead blasting is still an option?

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I don't think that leaving the engine in one piece is really compatible with your requirement of having the cleanest surface. Depending on how much you're taking off the engine during the cleaning process, there is an increased chance of getting fluids inside the engine and this generally isn't a good thing.

Either take the engine apart and have it blasted (soda is my preferred media as it is water soluble and can be washed away when done) or leave it together and use a brush and elbow grease.
 
If you take it apart, I've heard you can bring it to an auto shop and have them dunk it in the hot tank. I haven't tried it but I've heard they only charge about $20.
 
I tried taking a top end to a radiator shop once, thinking that they might have some sort of chemical dip that would remove aluminum oxide corrosion. They had nothing for me. They can remove rust, and they can remove grease, but corrosion on aluminum had no magic bullet.
 
The engine has no oxidation, just has oil build up and the factory grey paint. I'm really trying to avoid taking the top end apart. The engine was serviced a few months before I bought the bike and the engine is in great running condition so I would hate to start tearing into it. I guess I need to look more into a hot water power washer or steam cleaner along with a good degreaser and paint stripper.

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No oxidation. That's a horse of a different color. I am so used to encountering old engines crusty with corrosion that I guess I assumed that's what you were dealing with.

I find Simple Green to be a quite competent degreaser. Hot water, Simple Green, some brushes, and some ScotchBrite pads should be your tools of choice. Once you get it degreased, then you can use paint stripper. The paint stripper will work better after you have the grease/oil off.

I applaud the choice to not take the engine apart. If it don't need it, don't do it. <G>
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
I find Simple Green to be a quite competent degreaser. Hot water, Simple Green, some brushes, and some ScotchBrite pads should be your tools of choice. Once you get it degreased, then you can use paint stripper. The paint stripper will work better after you have the grease/oil off.
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+1.

Though go easy on the paint stripper. Some of the more caustic varieties can eat into aluminum. For what it's worth though, I think aircraft paint stripper works as an awesome degreaser, too. :P
 
I hate paint stripper. That shit is so toxic and miserable to work with as a rule. Ironically, the BEST paint stripper I have ever used was a gasket remover. I think it was CRC. They discontinued it because it was so aggressive.
 
Yeah I've been degreasing everything first with an engine cleaner. It's a great product I think it's called engine brite and it comes in a gel aerosol so it sticks nicely and works into the grease and for the more stubborn parts kerosene. After the oil is off I found zip strip in gel form takes the paint off insanely quick and wipes off with a rag. Once I get done with the top end I'm going to start polishing all the covers. I've taken pictures of everything I've been doing and I'm going to start a build thread once I get some more time. Polishing the covers leads to me to another question, where can I get individual gaskets? All I've seen is full engine gasket sets and think it would be cheaper if possible to purchase the individual ones I need.

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I'll never forget the first pair of nitrile gloves I melted when I was stripping my fuel tank. That stuff stings pretty bad after it gets through the gloves.
 
Zip strip fumes aren't bad at all, atleast I personally don't think so. I try to use it more than the aircraft stripper, as an aerosol I think that puts more fumes into the air.

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Sonreir said:
I'll never forget the first pair of nitrile gloves I melted when I was stripping my fuel tank. That stuff stings pretty bad after it gets through the gloves.
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Uhuh,
I did it in short sleeves once, I wore gloves and it didnt get thought the gloves but about 5 minutes of scrubbing with a wire brush and my arms were covered in the stuff. 2 minutes later I was in the bathroom trying to scrub my skin off. I had hundreds of little acid burns all over my arms.
Never again.
 
I encourage anyone to READ THE FUCKING LABEL before using any chemical product. A lot of that shit will kill you from contact with intact skin. Furthermore, download and read the MSDS. It will scare the living shit out of you.

All you young guys, take a tip from an old guy. Think safety. Avoid injury. That shit will haunt you later in life.
 
Re: Re: How to clean a top end?

AlphaDogChoppers said:
I encourage anyone to READ THE FUCKING LABEL before using any chemical product. A lot of that shit will kill you from contact with intact skin. Furthermore, download and read the MSDS. It will scare the living shit out of you.

All you young guys, take a tip from an old guy. Think safety. Avoid injury. That shit will haunt you later in life.
Click to expand...

This... and i am not even that old.

Read this http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

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The garage I'm working in is well ventilated and looked up the msds about zip strip and from what it said over exposure and skin contact are the only major area of concerns, since its winter I'm wearing long sleeves and rubber gloves. Plus my exposure has only been limited to about two hours of applying and removing the paint so far. Over all I'm very happy with using zip strip. It's easy to apply and clean up after.

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quadracer351 said:
The engine has no oxidation, just has oil build up and the factory grey paint. I'm really trying to avoid taking the top end apart. The engine was serviced a few months before I bought the bike and the engine is in great running condition so I would hate to start tearing into it. I guess I need to look more into a hot water power washer or steam cleaner along with a good degreaser and paint stripper.

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Click to expand...

Find a trucking company, they will have a steam cleaner and might let you use it for free or do it for you for minimal cost (on the other hand, they could tell you to take a running jump ;D )
 
Re: Re: How to clean a top end?

crazypj said:
Find a trucking company, they will have a steam cleaner and might let you use it for free or do it for you for minimal cost (on the other hand, they could tell you to take a running jump ;D )
Click to expand...

Yeah I was thinking about that. I live in queens New York so not too many trucking companies but also have a house in Vermont and I know up there they have the self service car washes that I was going to check into to see if it has the hot water option.

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