Old engine paint

[brettp]

Hey, everybody. Hope your 4th was good.

My 1981 cb750 is running well after spending my time and effort on the mechanical stuff, but I never gave the engine case attention. The paint is uneven, flaking, and generally in a pretty tired condition.
I'm not sure how to tackle this; 1000 grit wet sanding, aluminum etching polish, or something else. I want to keep the engine in the frame while I work on it, and aesthetically I'm looking for a clean look and not necessarily a highly polished show piece.
Cheers.

 

[Loose Chain]

How about some of this and a Scotchbrite pad.
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c.../auto/removers-and-chemicals/aircraft-remover

Once you get the paint off clean the aluminum with something like aluminum wheel cleaner to etch it and then some silver paint.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...tallic-Aluminum-Spray-Paint-7715830/100670369

 

[brettp]

yeah, I could do that. The paint is only a problem on the bottom half (case), the jugs are good.
In an effort to repaint, I would be concerned the paint would look poor against the aluminum upper. But it definitely needs to be cleaned up and prettied.

 

[Loose Chain]

I've seen some paint that is made to simulate bare aluminum. It doesn't dry shiny, it is more flat looking like bare aluminum. I've used this.
https://goodson.com/collections/last-blast-spray-paint/products/alb-1-aluminum-gray-last-blast

 

[brettp]

Interesting. When you used it, was it on a 750?

 

[Loose Chain]

No it was on auto parts. I will see if I still have some and if I do I will spray it on something and put it up against my engine and see what it looks like.

 

[brettp]

That would be great, thank you!

 

[Loose Chain]

 

[brettp]

Wow, that looks really good. I appreciate that. Looks like I have my goal!

 

[Loose Chain]

Okay I still had some. I grabbed the first thing I saw which was an old grubby float bowl. I didn't even wipe it off before I painted it. It looks pretty close to the original color on my old 81 Custom. Now you got me thinking about doing mine. They also make a hi heat version of the same thing.
https://goodson.com/collections/las...s/alb-1-ht-aluminum-gray-high-temp-last-blast

 

[brettp]

Yeah, I wondered about that. Good find. Everything on my bike looks pretty good, but this paint situation needs to change. I've had the bike for about a year and so far I've replaced the headlight, blinkers, new speedo, tach, new taillight, new seat, new bars, new indicator lights, painted the valve covers, and polished the carbs and side covers. The engine block needs some attention now.

 

[Loose Chain]

Sounds good. I'm not that motivated anymore. 20 years ago this old "81 Custom would have been restored, but these days I'm fine riding it the way it is.

 

[brettp]

I absolutely get that. I haven't been motivated to do anything with it, either. I very much wanted it mechanically perfect before anything else. Now with the cosmetic stuff done, and no other projects, it is time to slowly work on this.