Engine color 78/79 GS1000

[Guest]

First questions that I have is about engine color, black or standard both with polished side covers, what do you all thing looks best.

Also I am finding it hard to find someone to soda blast my engine. Will I still get a good finish by using standard cleaning methods?

[Seaking]

First questions that I have is about engine color, black or standard both with polished side covers, what do you all thing looks best. Also I am finding it hard to find someone to soda blast my engine. Will I still get a good finish by using standard cleaning methods?

Hi Haggis, if you can't find someone to soda blast your engine for you, it is possible to do it yourself with some homeskill bodging with a good compressor and baking soda. (think McGyver). I thought soda blasting was popular and common place after seeing so many articles online about it but like you, found few to none actually do it in my area, so I started doing it myself with great results. It will strip paint, dirt, clear coats, rust and corrosion from soft metals without harming the metal underneath. You can actually strip crud chroming from metal but you'll need a big compressor for that..

After doing some research and chatting with others online who have done it, I was able to put together my own soda blasting cabinet for doing small parts inside the garage (without dust contaminating the garage) and outdoors for the larger parts that can't fit in the cabinet. All you need is a decent compressor (something that will put forth at least 5 cfm works), a blow gun, clear hose and common baking soda.

Drop me a PM if you would like more info on how simple it is to set up.

Best of luck.

[chuck hahn]

I vote for standard aluminum color and for the soda blasting. VHT high temp Universal Aluminum ( part # SP127) is the go to for the engines.

[sharpy]

And only the top half of the cases is painted. All depends on how 'anal" you are about correct finish

[SVSooke]

http://s573.photobucket.com/user/sersooke/media/GS750%20pics/005_zpsad494b96.jpg.html

Soda blasted at home with a cheap Princess Auto(Canada's HF)blaster.


Paint is Plasti-Kote Aluminum engine enamel.Not close to the factory colour but I'm OK with that.

[HaggisHombre]

Thanks for the advice on the soda blasting, I am still hoping I can clean it by hand or find someone that can soda blast it. I don't have a compresor and don't want to buy one at the moment. I am veering towards the VHT SP127 paint. SVSooke you engine looks great. I am looking forward to the day that mine will hopefully look as nice.

[Flyboy]

Greg, that motor looks the goods, very nice work, as always.

Just a quick question, where did you get those silver spark plugs, I am doing myself in trying to get some, but NGK say they don't have them in this country.

[Flyboy]

Don't sweat it, a good collection of stiff brushes of varying sizes and a bunch of cleaning chemicals with a lot of elbow grease and time to spare and you will be good to go.
A lot more work than blasting, but if you make sure to get all the dirt and old loose paint off, the new paint will lay down just the same.

[SVSooke]

Greg, that motor looks the goods, very nice work, as always.

Just a quick question, where did you get those silver spark plugs, I am doing myself in trying to get some, but NGK say they don't have them in this country.

So what else would you use to plug the spark plug holes with?

[850 Combat]

So what else would you use to plug the spark plug holes with?

Could have made a sale there...

That motor looks great, by the way.

[SVSooke]

Thanks Combat,HH and Flyboy,I figured posting them up with the painted plugs would bring the normal smart remarks.Yes I replaced the offending plugs.

[Big T]

Thanks for the advice on the soda blasting, I am still hoping I can clean it by hand or find someone that can soda blast it. I don't have a compresor and don't want to buy one at the moment. I am veering towards the VHT SP127 paint. SVSooke you engine looks great. I am looking forward to the day that mine will hopefully look as nice.

Strap it on a handcart and take the ferry to Victoria

Drop it off at Rob's

It will be clean

[Flyboy]

Hey, Capt. Grumpy, cabin fever setting in already?
Just yanking your chain.
I always enjoy admiring your work.

[SVSooke]

Winter rains and a cold.Not making me in the best humor these days,just ask my wife.

[Seaking]

Out of curiosity (because I dunno) In a pinch could a person put a high pressure washer to an engine block to degrease and clean it for lack of any other options? Thinking perhaps the high velocity of the water could strip paint and gunk.. but would the water cause severe issues with corrosion afterwards? Air pressure drying?