Bead blasting

[Guest]

I know this works well and some carbs and such look nice when done

This is the work done on an ultralight engine.
I think this would making prepping a disassembled engine for repaint easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG2sWqanlYE

Beware there is some light hearted off colour humour.

[chuck hahn]

Why disassemble..i bead blast the engines in tact. I put corks in the exhaust ports and in the intake boots and tighten the clamps. Drain the oil and lay the engine on its side..do the bottom first and then just set the engine upright and work your way all around. blow every noock and cranny with the compressor very very well and its basically ready for paint or just clearing over and leaving a clean satin finished look.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Why disassemble..i bead blast the engines in tact. I put corks in the exhaust ports and in the intake boots and tighten the clamps. Drain the oil and lay the engine on its side..do the bottom first and then just set the engine upright and work your way all around. blow every noock and cranny with the compressor very very well and its basically ready for paint or just clearing over and leaving a clean satin finished look.

Actually that is what the guy in the vid points out
he shows an expensively rebuilt rotart engine that died cos the owenr assumed the blasters had washed his parts.

I imagine if the an engine is airtight then plugging the carb intakes and a few hoese is all you need.

[chuck hahn]

Yes thats about all you need to do. I forgot to mention that you need to come up with the rubber caps for over the air breather nipple and the oil cooler nipples if your bike has an oil cooler adapter..other than that i havent had any problems. i have done 5 engines so far and not a problem with any of them..

[chuck hahn]

And it is also note worthy to know that grease isnt very easily blasted off.. degrease the engine best as you can before you start..

[OldVet66]

When I first got my bike we used fine beads on the front brake calipers. I painted them with the Por15 clear cote. The finish is very nice and absolutely durable. It would look nice on carburetors too, but I understand the Por15 clear will yellow on anything that gets as hot as the motor. It makes a highly silvered mat finish. Bead size will determine the texture.

[chuck hahn]

I dint know about the heat yellowing clear. I shot my engines with that rattle can stuff thats supposed to withstand like 550 degrees..its turnung yellow. I gotta pull the engines at some point and rebalst them. By blasting i mean with GLASS beads. Walnut shells and other media tend to rip in to the aluminum a bit.. The glass beads leave a smooth even satin finish..very nice look even without painting.

[GS ace]

Before I bead blast a part, I wipe it down with lacquer thinner to remove any oils or grease. Afterwards, I blow the part off and wipe it down again.

[chuck hahn]

Yup I mentioned that. The grease just gets spread around by the gun. Youd think it would get blown off. The beads just stick to it or bounce off it..

[duaneage]

I dint know about the heat yellowing clear. I shot my engines with that rattle can stuff thats supposed to withstand like 550 degrees..its turnung yellow. I gotta pull the engines at some point and rebalst them. By blasting i mean with GLASS beads. Walnut shells and other media tend to rip in to the aluminum a bit.. The glass beads leave a smooth even satin finish..very nice look even without painting.

Did you degrease the parts with lacquer thinner before you clear coated? If not they will yellow. I did mine 7 years ago and they never yellowed.

If you are going to blast, use baking soda. It dissolves in water, oil. etc and is a lot safer. I just did mine.

[chuck hahn]

Everything was degreased before blasting and washed again after done..maybe it was the cheaper spary can clear..dont know. I am always very meticulous and often do way more than needed just to be sure.. When i get around to doing them again..i will try sometheing else.. I had inquired about if anyone knew the part number or color that Suzuki used to paint them ..but noone really had a satisfactory response..