Best Way to Clean the Engine...

[renobruce]

I have the same tan "staining" on an engine right now. It is on the cooling fins on #1 cyl. I have tried everything short of sandpaper to get it off. Looks like a baked on oil stain. Any thoughts from the experts?

Try a green scotch-bright pad with Simple Green or Purple Power. I used that along with tooth brushes and baby bottle brushes. Soak, scrub, rinse, repeat....several times. There is no easy way to get the motor clean short of media blasting, which isn't always an option. Lots of scrubbing and patience.
Here's some before and afters. Notice the dried up puddle of gunk under the motor in the second pic.

[Florida Guy]

Any ideas for brightening up the black motor?

Get yourself a spray can of S100 engine brightener.
Works wonders on black motors.
Thoroughly wash the motor first, and let dry.
Spray on cold engine.
Stand back and be amazed.

[renobruce]

That is a shiny silver motor,
Any ideas for brightening up the black motor?

Get yourself a spray can of S100 engine brightener.
Works wonders on black motors.
Thoroughly wash the motor first, and let dry.
Spray on cold engine.
Stand back and be amazed.

+1 on the S100 Engine Brightner. Great stuff. You can also use it in place of Armor-All on all your black stuff... hoses, plastic, etc. It brings back the color on those pieces, too. And lasts through several washings.

[MelodicMetalGod]

Renobruce,

I gotta say that you are my hero when it comes to bright and shiny, showroom new-looking engines. Your work never ceases to amaze.

Talk about not worthy! I have yet to put that kind of time and effort into my bike...but at least I have more inspiration now.

Well done!

[donimo]

so how do you guys wash yours? Pressure washer or not?
ine is filthy, black and some of the paint in the finns looks peely, so I think its going to look worse washed than dirty...

[Beaker]

Here is the link to a home made blaster - http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-o.../soda_blaster/. I tried it on my carbs a few weeks back and it is amazing how they clean up - when I get to cleaning the motor, this will be the way I go.

[gsryder]

Yep thats the one I saw. I didnt do that because I happened to have a media blasting gun. But it is basically the exact same thing.

[renobruce]

Renobruce,

I gotta say that you are my hero when it comes to bright and shiny, showroom new-looking engines. Your work never ceases to amaze.

Talk about not worthy! I have yet to put that kind of time and effort into my bike...but at least I have more inspiration now.

Well done!

Thanks!! I appreciate that.

[Mysuzyq]

Here's some before and afters. Notice the dried up puddle of gunk under the motor in the second pic.

Amazing! Is that the factory silver paint, or did you touch it up? I heard Gunk will take some of the paint off, if left on the engine long enough.

Tony.

[renobruce]

Amazing! Is that the factory silver paint, or did you touch it up? I heard Gunk will take some of the paint off, if left on the engine long enough.

Tony.

Let me clarify. I didn't use the Gunk brand cleaner. By saying "gunk" I meant the grease/oil/dirt slick under the bike from cleaning. I used Simple Green concentrate.

Yes, it is the factory finish. I didn't touch up anything on the engine, just a few spots on the frame.