Cleaning Painted Engines

I just bought a 1983 XJ900RK, the engine looks like it was painted black a few years back. it is chipping off exposing chrome underneath. How can I bring the shine back on a student's budget?



If Not worth it? how can I repaint it?

 

Sand the chipped spots to blend it in, then simply repaint with engine enamel from an auto parts store. Be sure to mask the areas. Two coats should do it. The two coats should be done within an hour of each other (read the back of the paint can).

A few dollars for sandpaper and a buck for masking tape and around $4-5 for the paint and some time and you're done.

 

Awesome. Thanks!

Do I have to degrease it first? will the paint stick if i don't?
Can I paint it right on the bike?
Should I remove the spark plug leads?

 

Nice ride you have there Rage

 

Definitely degrease first. Gunk engine cleaner works great. The cheaper Advance Auto Parts brand works just about as well. You're paint will peel right off if you don't clean the engine first, dry it and wipe it down. No need to remove the leads if you mask them, but if it would make it easier for you, then by all means go ahead and take them off and tie them back. You can take off or leave on as little or as much as you want. Just depends on how much time item "x" would take to take off and put pack on versus masking it.

Agreed with ricklees... sharp bike. Love that gun metal paint job.

Edit: Just noticed that you were talking about "bringing back the shine" in your first post. So you want to expose the metal underneath? Not chrome there, it's actually aluminum. It can be stripped and buffed and shine just like chrome, but you're talking some serious work to do so. Would require you taking the engine down to the cylinder block and stripping and polishing and buffing and would take forever. Not to mention, you'll need to replace your gaskets once you take it apart. I have my engine apart right now and considered shining it up, but after working on it for a couple of days trying to get it clean, it's just not worth it to me. Painted it a gloss black and will be sanding to expose the fins.

 

Thanks A lot Ricklees!

Thanks A lot. I will be degreasing and painting within the week. any last minute advice? Should I leave the exposed Aluminum as is for accents? should I paint the Exhaust header pipes to match? they are getting rough.

Thanks guys. I LOVE it too. can you believe I bought her for $1200?