Blast & paint engine w/o disassembly?

[Spikus]

Simple question - can it be done if the engine/trans are fine? I know adequately plugging all the holes prior to blasting would probably be the hardest part, but I really hate to break open the engine if I don't need to.

[GateKeeper]

you don't need to.....

I did not blast, I just cleaned, used a wire wheel, brushes, etc...

clean well, mask well, plug holes and paint....











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[Agemax]

blasting with what? sand/bead/shot/vapour or just pressure washing?

it is possible, there are companies that specialize in bead/vapour blasting complete engines but it is expensive.

if you plan to do it yourself you have to make 110% every orifice is completely blocked.

[posplayr]

Walnut shells work well for blasting and it is relatively easy to clean up. I would not sand blast a motor I expected to run. The silica is extremely fine and you wont be able to keep it out.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=123490&highlight=walnut

[posplayr]

Walnut shells work well for blasting and it is relatively easy to clean up. I would not sand blast a motor I expected to run. The silica is extremely fine and you wont be able to keep it out.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=123490&highlight=walnut

[Paul]

I'm planning the same thing, I was going to use soda (as it is soluble), and make metal plates for the carb inlet with a touch of liquid gasket bolted behind the carb inlets, and just dont blast directly onto joints where possible, something similar for the exhaust outs including stuff them with rags...I think it should work? going to try it out first on my GN250 as it's obviously not as precious as my GS

[wally]

Soda blasting will work the best - very fine and it gives a bit of rotation for a few weeks if you don't paint straight away.

Otherwise paint stripper with a high pressure washer worked for me!

[GS(X)400]

I soda blasted my engine. It does get everyware but it will disolve. I need to clean out my contact points though and had to vacume my starter motor.

Havnt painted the engine yet though.. thats monday

[simon kuether]

Soda is the way to go . Didn't affect rubber , seals etc . I sealed all the holes with million mile an hour tape and all good .

Cheers , Simon .

[Kiwi Canuck]

Good info

Thanks, I am just at that point as well, I have my engine apart but do not want to split the cases if possible.
At present it's an oily greasy mess and I'm not sure how to proceed as I hate the mess it makes when trying to clean the engine without a large parts washer or something like that.
Seems the best option is to clean the lower cases by hand with a brush and wire wheel on a drill. I will need to either reassemble the top of the engine or tape everything off to avoid getting grit in the crankcase.
I had the cylinders and head lightly sand blasted while they were getting reworked, I got the cylinders honed and new exhaust valve seats and seals installed.
I plan on painting the engine with VHT SP127 rattle can, so hopefully they look a lot better after that's done.
I am taking photos as I go so I'll post some pictures when I finally start my rebuild thread.

[Big T]

If you can find a dry ice blaster, that's the best because it just evaporates. Soda comes in 2nd

Be sure you degrease it first

[Agemax]

dry ice will only take dirt and crud off, it wont take off old paint and wont touch the surface of the aluminium like bead or soda blasting will

[Nessism]

Bead blasting seems risky. Soda seems like a better choice.

[AJ]

you don't need to.....

I did not blast, I just cleaned, used a wire wheel, brushes, etc...

clean well, mask well, plug holes and paint....


.

Great job!. That's the look want for my 1100E. Always preferred the black engine of the 1983, but I've already polished my side covers and leaving the polished will make a unique look for that model.

But I am lazy and might try painting it in the frame. Wasn't there someone last fall who painted their engine in the frame? That's where I first read about soda blasting.

[AJ]

Walnut shells work well for blasting and it is relatively easy to clean up. I would not sand blast a motor I expected to run. The silica is extremely fine and you wont be able to keep it out.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ghlight=walnut

One possible advantage of walnut shells is that they are likely less abrasive should any of it actually get inside the engine. They will soften in the oil and grind into nothing. Soda powder would likely remain abrasive if it got inside the engine.

P.S. Love your bike, posplayr. Really nice.