How do you remove clearcoat off engine cases?

[gotjeepzj]

Trying to polish the engine up. Half the clearcoat is flaking off so I decided to remove it all and clean it up. Would paint thinner be too harsh for the aluminum?

[bgmart450]

I used aircraft stripper from WalMart.

[gotjeepzj]

Did you just spray it on and wait for it to bubble up and scrape it off or what?

[J_C]

That's what I did... I just follwed the directions to leave it on there for X minutes then I scraped it all off with a plastic cake knife

[renobruce]

Yep, aircraft stripper. Fast and easy. It helps of course that your parts are removed from the bike.

[ScottMc1100L]

And once it's all stripped, what is the method of preservation after polishing? Do you re-clear coat or just keep after the naked aluminum?

[renobruce]

And once it's all stripped, what is the method of preservation after polishing? Do you re-clear coat or just keep after the naked aluminum?

I kept mine naked. I use Mother's Aluminum polish, and it seems to protect pretty well. Some say their cases start to oxidize after a while, but I haven't seen that with mine. But I live in a low humidity area, far away from salt water. Plus I didn't want to have to possibly strip off more clear down the road if the clear didn't hold up well. Here's a link to my resto. After almost a year, my cases still look good.

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...obruce/GS1000/

[ScottMc1100L]

Well gotjeepzj, there's some pics that give us both something to strive for8-) !

Bruce, I had seen in some other thread where you were painting the tank but did not go through the entire album as I did today (cable internet connection thank you!). WOW it looks great! Hope it runs just as well, somethin tells me that it does.

Man those carbs were in rough shape in the early shots, I really like shot #21 where you get the reflection of the 1150 on the cam covers. Intentional or not, cool! Also like #53 with both bikes and #60 where there's the "extreme close-up"of the engine cover :mrgreen: .

You have my 85 blue/white 1150 and I'm not afraid to say, I'm jealous !

[renobruce]

Well gotjeepzj, there's some pics that give us both something to strive for!

Bruce, I had seen in some other thread where you were painting the tank but did not go through the entire album as I did today (cable internet connection thank you!). WOW it looks great! Hope it runs just as well, somethin tells me that it does.

Man those carbs were in rough shape in the early shots, I really like shot #21 where you get the reflection of the 1150 on the cam covers. Intentional or not, cool! Also like #53 with both bikes and #60 where there's the "extreme close-up"of the engine cover :mrgreen: .

You have my 85 blue/white 1150 and I'm not afraid to say, I'm jealous !

Thanks, Scott. Hopefully I'll have my parts back from paint this week. I will proudly post some new pics when it's done!:-D As for the 1150.... she's MINE!! Find your own!! ;-)

[randyshipp]

Bruce, I had seen in some other thread where you were painting the tank but did not go through the entire album as I did today (cable internet connection thank you!). WOW it looks great! Hope it runs just as well, somethin tells me that it does.

I just looked through your whole album, too, Bruce, and that's an inspirational set of images. Of course, if you had a picture for every hour you must have spent slaving over polishing all that aluminum, it might cause someone like me to despair! I went out and looked at the sorry state of my 82 GS850GL and decided that once I have the other bike on the road, I'm going to do a similar frame-off restoration job on it. Wish me luck. I'll be taking "Before" pictures soon so you guys can commiserate with me about the rough times ahead. :-)

Thanks again for the pics, Bruce. Really nice work.

Randy...

[randyshipp]

Oh, I meant to ask, what's that liquid-filled pressure gauge in picture #48? Is that oil pressure?

Can't wait to see the pics after the parts come back from painting.

Randy...

[renobruce]

Oh, I meant to ask, what's that liquid-filled pressure gauge in picture #48? Is that oil pressure?

Can't wait to see the pics after the parts come back from painting.

Randy...

Thanks, Randy. Yes, it's an oil pressure gauge. I sell them if you want one.

[Cassius086]

Hey Bruce,

That is a really nice little gauge. I noticed that and wondered immendiately where you got it from. Does it come with the adapters neccessary for mounting it? What does the unit cost?? Would be interested....you can send me a pm.....or email me at cassius086@aol.com. Thanks!!

Mike

[ScottMc1100L]

Yes, that is a nice Oil Pressure Guage, maybe get a sticky in the f/s section?

Find your own!!

I'm trying, I'm trying ;-) !!

[justin caise]

Uhmm. Please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is meant by "aircraft stripper"?
(If it's one of those exotic dancers who goes over and entertains the troups with the USO, then I'm sure that I can't afford it.)

Is it actually called aircraft stipper? Would it be for model airplanes and therefore in the toy section? Or does Walmart cover the needs of local airports also?