Valve cover, head, and block finish.

[qslim]

The finish coating on my 850 looks like crap. It's flaking and half peeling off all over the place. I have everything apart right now sitting on my bench in the middle of an overhaul. I was thinking that soaking the pieces in carb cleaner would go ahead and take care of the remaining finish (a friend at work accidentally did this to his Honda a while back. It turned into a goo and washed right off.), after which a sealer of some sort can be applied. I'm not too keen on spending any more money (i.e. sending them out to get coated) and wonder what is out there that can be applied to seal the aluminum from corrosion. Any ideas?

[duaneage]

My aluminum cases were suffering the usual problems with spider webs, powdering, etc. SO I stripped the clearcoat off with paint stripper in a spray can from pep Boys. I polished the scratches out with 220 aluminum oxide paper, then 320, then 400. I decided I liked the satin brushed look of OEM so I went in one direction with steel wool and some 600 paper.

Then I used buffer wheels on a drill and a dremel tool to polish them up. After that I removed the silicone with lacquer thinner and dried them. I immediately sprayed them with 3 - 4 coats of clear engine paint, with 2 minute intervals between coats.

looks perfect and a year later they are still nice. No yellowing or peeling.

[retrex]

Paint recommendation

VHT 1200 degree hi temp clear. Used it over high temp black on my exhaust. No fading or blistering after one season.

[Jethro]

No fading or blistering after one season.

Even at the header?

[retrex]

Cross my heart and hope to die.

No fading or blistering after one season.

Even at the header?

Yep even at the header, it surprised the heck out of me too. Nice gloss finish, looks like black chrome or ceramic finish. Ask skip, he saw the pipes this fall on a ride we took toghether. I used high quality black two coats, and the VHT two coats. I have the process listed under exhaust heat paint.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=33649&start=15

[sharpy]

paint

I have VHT universal aluminum paint on mine for 5 yrs and not one prob. The motor was acid dipped first then washed with truck wash then painted and backed in oven at 180 degrees. (all seperate of course)

[retrex]

Re: paint

I have VHT universal aluminum paint on mine for 5 yrs and not one prob. The motor was acid dipped first then washed with truck wash then painted and backed in oven at 180 degrees. (all seperate of course)

I think acid washing is the key. I applied acid to the pipes to etch the metal. Seen it recommended for tank sealing and POR15 application and thought it sounded like a good idea.