Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: got_the_bug on May 13, 2008, 04:26:41 AM

Title: cleaning motor fins
Post by: got_the_bug on May 13, 2008, 04:26:41 AM

Anyone have a recommendation for cleaning motor fins?  I used S100 cycle wash, which worked great on the rest of the bike, but the fins on my M900 are still kind of dingy.
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: the_Journeyman on May 13, 2008, 05:02:29 AM
I gave up on it.  I spray some simple green on the and let it soak for a bit and hose 'em off.  That gets the worst of the grime off but they're still dingy ~

JM
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: metaldoc on May 13, 2008, 06:02:08 AM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on May 13, 2008, 05:02:29 AM
I gave up on it.  I spray some simple green on the and let it soak for a bit and hose 'em off.  That gets the worst of the grime off but they're still dingy ~

JM

I use the same approach
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: got_the_bug on May 13, 2008, 06:58:08 AM
Thanks, guys...anyone have any luck with Gunk Engine Brite?
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: sennaster on May 13, 2008, 07:35:00 AM
spray in some degreaser ... let it sit ... then brush them with a stiff bristle brush (like you would clean car tires with).

thats the best method i ever used.
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: kenrok1 on May 13, 2008, 08:59:00 AM
anyone ever take it a step further and wire brushed the engine?

I messed up the paint on my clutch housing (wet clucth) when I took of the Shell sticker and tried to buff it out ~ went overkill with a posilhing wheel and buffed right down to the bare metal. It looked all shinny and nice it that one little pea sized area, but I din't have the guts or the time to keep going so I just slapped a new sticker over it.

I think it could look very cool if the whole engine was brushed, polished, media blasted, etc. I assume it would probably need a high temp clear sealer on it then to keep from oxidising?
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: Lord_Bragle on May 13, 2008, 10:46:41 AM
The paint on the heads of my S2R 800 discoloured like this GTB, I didn't try anything abrasive “attempting” to get them clean because their only painted, and I'm sure the paint has a difficult enough job already, getting so hot as it surly does, and without it needing to be scrubbed at too.

I did try domestic clothes washing solution though, I left it on a couple of hours and it worked really well, I think the chemicals in this stuff work on the baked in carbon that turns the paint brown, if it was left on days and agitated regularly and kept moist I think it could leach out even more of this brown colour, it just needs someone with patience and dedication to try it.
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: Xiphias on May 13, 2008, 04:28:44 PM
The coating on the fins was deemed to be defective. DNA replaced the cylinder head under warranty.

Does it look like this?
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm40/RobJohn3/IMG_0537.jpg)
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: vampireduc on May 13, 2008, 04:32:57 PM
Purple Power, and a scrub brush....on a cold engine has been working for me.

I'm told not to leave it on the rubber parts to long.  I rinse it off with a hose after I finish with the PP just to be safe.

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/vampireduc/IMG_5785.jpg)
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: Ohmic on May 13, 2008, 06:30:19 PM
Degreaser and the ex-girlfriend's toothbrush before she moved out  >:(
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: Augustus on May 13, 2008, 07:24:14 PM
Quote from: vampireduc on May 13, 2008, 04:32:57 PM
Purple Power, and a scrub brush....on a cold engine has been working for me.

I'm told not to leave it on the rubber parts to long.  I rinse it off with a hose after I finish with the PP just to be safe.

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/vampireduc/IMG_5785.jpg)

Hell, isn't it a lot of work to take your engine out to clean it?  [laugh]
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: teddy037.2 on May 13, 2008, 07:28:53 PM
+1 for the creative use of old toothbrush.

doesn't make her shiny, but it does look better than just the S1000 and hose.
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: sydmonster on May 13, 2008, 07:52:51 PM
Degreaser it all, leave for 5 min and bucket/hose low pressure off. Then spray on detergent or 4x4-truckwash and rub in with an old long bristle paint brush. bucket/hosedown. Let it air dry, or best use low pressure compressor and blow dry. - Chris
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: dlearl476 on May 13, 2008, 07:59:01 PM
Quote from: Augustus on May 13, 2008, 07:24:14 PM
Hell, isn't it a lot of work to take your engine out to clean it?  [laugh]

I was thinking "Sure, it hardly ever gets dirty sitting on your workbench."  [laugh]

I recommend Greased Lightning "Orange Blast" degreaser and a small brass-bristled brush.
(http://www.greased-lightning.com/i/266ea496d9a549799c1305f64bb84ae5.gif)

If it's really hard to get off, you can try stainless steel bristles, but be careful, it will remove the anti-oxidation coat if you get too heavy handed.
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: duc996 on May 13, 2008, 11:49:28 PM
Engine degreaser plus toohtbrush,works for me. [thumbsup]
Title: Re: cleaning motor fins
Post by: Ohmic on May 16, 2008, 03:08:52 PM
BTW... If you're using that SimplyGreen stuff. Be careful not to leave it on too long. I heard that it can leave a stain or mark on where it was concentrated.