Cleaning

[fayeslane]

Always lots of questions re how to clean engines etc so had time to do a bit of an experiment today and here are the results -

Wheel cleaner used as directed. Treated side on left.

Oven cleaner (non caustic)

Wheel cleaner scrubbed in with brass wire brush

Bead blast (glass bead)

Bead blasting is definitely the best option of these. The wheel cleaner applied with brass wire brush has potential for relatively clean surfaces ( not obviously different in the pics but came up a bit cleaner) . The oven cleaner is best used in your oven.

I have seen some excellent results from vapour blasting and would be my preferred option if I was outsourcing the work.

Hope this is of some use.

 

[Zed3]

+1 for vapour blasting.

I have used these guys in the past - VBS - based in North West.

Great results and great service

 

[B Murr]

I had a 1991 gs which had very shiny alloy on the engine etc and I reckon they treated it with some sort of chemical. Not sure what it was but I have heard of some ammonia based chemical being used but to be honest I know little about it.

 

[Dogbytes]

I was discussing this with someone only the other day. In the end, it doesn't matter what chemical cleaner you use because the dirt that's on it is only half the problem. The other half is corrosion aka oxidation and removing that means removing material - hence beadblasting.

What I'd really like to know is, having beadblasted it, how can you keep it looking that way?

In the firearms industry there are some very neat surface treatments which, I understand (a euphemism for 'I don't understand') work at a molecular level. They not only resist extremely high temperatures and noxious substances and oxidation but mechanical wear too. I guess they're a modern version of intruding or 'tuftriding' (whatever happened to that?).

The best we seem to get is two-part lacquer - and we all know how good that is! Anyone know why?

 

[fayeslane]

We have a lot less corrosion problems here in Oz except the odd neglected coastal bike. Inland bikes last forever. All the airheads I have bought have cleaned up nicely after an arvo in the shed.