Tarnish on the crankcase

[psorboy]

What do you use to polish the crankcase and other similar type parts? I tried Mothers and chrome polish but neither seemed to work? Do anyone have some suggestions as to what might work?

[marcolli]

I think you'll have to get through the clear coat. That would take a buffing wheel and a fine compound or a fine grit sand paper and a little elbow grease.

[Nessism]

Most common method:

- Remove cover from engine

- Use paint stripper to remove old clear coat

- Remove oxidation using progressively finner sand paper. Some people use a buffing wheel. The stock finish is approximately 600 grit used one direction - more of a brushed finish than polished.

- If you want a killer bright finish you can polish after sanding; mothers or similar applied by hand or by using a buffing wheel with fine compound.

- If you are anal about keeping the finish you worked to achieve, a clear paint will help seal it off.

Not sure what type of clear to recommend. Rattle can engine clear is pretty crapy in my experience. Clear powder coat would be best I think. I used regular automotive urethane clear coat on the engine covers on my old 550 and while the clear looked good, it was brittle so I'm not sure how long it will last.

[trippivot]

I like to use red 3-M abrasive to get through the pitting /oxidation. it takes the clear off in an instant.

if the surface is severely etched from salt / humidity start with 280 or 320 sand paper and start to get it smooth as you can, then 400 and so on. after it is really smooth use a paste polishing compound and cloth wheel.

the 3 m stuff is really good too red-coarse
green-medium white - soft.

get ready for hand cramps