Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: MonsterMadMarty on July 05, 2014, 05:41:55 PM

Title: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on July 05, 2014, 05:41:55 PM
I've recently restored my 93' M900 and it's currently running with a spare 900 SS engine I have.  It's original engine has been stripped down, rebuilt (new gearbox, pistons and rings), reassembled and is now sat on my workbench.  Poor planning on my part as I didn't really think about how I was going to clean up the outer casing of the engine!  My Monster has had the usual Monster battery leak and has left a stain on the alternator cover, plus 80,000 Km's of use the cosmetics need work.

Any tips, suggestions, advise? All comments welcome on how to get my motor looking brand new again.  Cheers in advance, Marty  :)

The battery acid stain:
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/martyscott717/5a01415e217495f68c05c3a8ae3dce2b_zps47fddcf7.jpg)

My 93' M900 as it is with the spare engine in:
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/martyscott717/02750cce68fde3cbdb3c49b85de0c82f_zps7924291b.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: stonemaster on July 05, 2014, 05:44:20 PM
media blasting, I used soda blasting to make a set of mikuni carbs look like new a couple of time, there are other types of media to use , a google search will turn up alot of info
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on July 05, 2014, 05:48:18 PM
Quote from: stonemaster on July 05, 2014, 05:44:20 PM
media blasting, I used soda blasting to make a set of mikuni carbs look like new a couple of time, there are other types of media to use , a google search will turn up alot of info

Cheers,  I've been looking at Vapour blasting but it will mean stripping the engine again  [bang]
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MotoPsycho on July 08, 2014, 10:35:37 AM
Little brush and good degreaser. Pain in the ass but it works.
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: He Man on July 09, 2014, 02:41:23 PM
take the side cover off, lather some MEK (watch out for this stuff itll eat your flesh alive) and brush off the paint. then coat it with some high temp paint to match existing.
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: scooterd145 on July 10, 2014, 09:56:17 AM
Try Kerosene and a toothbrush

Scott
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: Lieutenant Dan on July 13, 2014, 09:03:39 PM
Quote from: He Man on July 09, 2014, 02:41:23 PM
take the side cover off, lather some MEK (watch out for this stuff itll eat your flesh alive) and brush off the paint. then coat it with some high temp paint to match existing.

Where does one obtain such stuff (MEK)?
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on December 12, 2014, 04:48:37 PM

It's taken awhile but it's finally done looking nice and shiny, now to fit it back into the bike  ;D

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/martyscott717/935ff77d527b010543c7752de485ea3b_zps1537e604.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: monsta on December 12, 2014, 07:00:12 PM
looks great!   [thumbsup]

how did you end up doing it?
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on December 12, 2014, 07:37:07 PM
Quote from: monsta on December 12, 2014, 07:00:12 PM
looks great!   [thumbsup]

how did you end up doing it?

Thank you, it took hours upon hours of sanding with 240 grit and the Dremel to get the old paint off and then another hour or two wiping with oil and grease remover, taping up before applying VHT primer and paint.  Fingers crossed it will last!

As you 'can't see' your wonderful repair work - once again thank you great work  [thumbsup]

Started putting back into the bike yesterday when at 1pm I got a phone call from school saying the youngest has broken her thumb!

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/martyscott717/c443434baf51206061a8d80bb2387dce_zpsd45213b7.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: Nibor on December 12, 2014, 11:58:49 PM
Looks amazing! I was originally planning to just deep clean mine, but the more I see this and Buck's, the more I want to paint!!
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: abby normal on December 13, 2014, 04:06:04 PM
Quote from: Lieutenant Dan on July 13, 2014, 09:03:39 PM
Where does one obtain such stuff (MEK)?

MEK is methyl ethyl ketone ... its a solvent routinely used for bonding
polymers.  it smells like its going to kill you, but its actually not
dangerous, other than displacing air if you breathe too much of the
vapor.  look up the MSDS if you don't believe it.

cyclohexanone is similar to MEK ... not dangerous.

methylene chloride is another story ... VERY dangerous.  this sh!t will
dissolve cured epoxy, but will give you cancer.  stay away from this one.

lots of online chemical supply houses ship this stuff to businesses.  i don't
have any experience getting it to a home address.

Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: BK_856er on December 13, 2014, 04:58:04 PM
Chemical nomenclature is kinda goofy.  Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and cyclohexanone are all close cousins with similar characteristics.  They do a good job of general degreasing, and will definitely stain/soften/bubble paint with enough contact time. Use with good ventilation and nitrile gloves, and stay away from the garage water heater pilot light!  Most home improvement places that carry paint will have acetone and MEK in gallon containers - easy to get locally and pretty cheap.

Motor looks great!

BK
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: mjk778 on December 13, 2014, 05:08:30 PM
Quote from: MonsterMadMarty on December 12, 2014, 07:37:07 PM
Thank you, it took hours upon hours of sanding with 240 grit and the Dremel to get the old paint off and then another hour or two wiping with oil and grease remover, taping up before applying VHT primer and paint.  Fingers crossed it will last!

Looks great!  Nicely done. Which color VHT primer and paint did you use?
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on December 13, 2014, 08:00:00 PM
Quote from: mjk778 on December 13, 2014, 05:08:30 PM

Looks great!  Nicely done. Which color VHT primer and paint did you use?



The primer was: SP148 Light Gray
The case & heads: SP127 Univ. Aluminum
Cylinders: SP124 Gloss Black
Valve covers: SP997 Cast Iron


Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: monsta on December 14, 2014, 01:16:07 AM
Is it in yet?   ;D

I know its not the standard look your after but that shitty casting above the belt on the front head bugs me!  [evil] I'd attack it with a die grinder..     ;D

hope your going to do something with that exhaust?  ceramic coat?

sorry... getting picky :)  maybe jealous....    [beer]
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: MonsterMadMarty on December 14, 2014, 04:07:01 AM
It's in the frame but that's it, after my rush to PMH with the youngest I haven't been back in the garage, hopefully tomorrow if work doesn't call me in!

This bike is the '93 and I'm trying to keep it as standard and original as possible. The next two bikes how ever.....

As for being picky, I think after seeing your bike in the flesh you have defiantly earnt the right to be picky, any input from you I'll take as great advise  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: ducpainter on December 14, 2014, 05:35:42 AM
Regarding solvents...

avoid toluene. It's such a universal solvent it will be in your urine within 20 seconds of it touching your skin.

Can't possibly be good for your liver/kidneys.
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: dbran1949 on December 18, 2014, 03:11:32 PM
Quote from: abby normal on December 13, 2014, 04:06:04 PM
MEK is methyl ethyl ketone ... its a solvent routinely used for bonding
polymers.  it smells like its going to kill you, but its actually not
dangerous, other than displacing air if you breathe too much of the
vapor.  look up the MSDS if you don't believe it.

It is flammable, and I got pretty sick when I was in the Navy using it to clean the inside of a nose cone of an F4 Phantom
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: Nibor on December 19, 2014, 04:07:54 AM
From what little I picked up studying aerospace eng, MEK isn't too bad. MEKP is the one to look out for!
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: DucHead on December 23, 2014, 04:10:29 PM
Quote from: Nibor on December 19, 2014, 04:07:54 AM
From what little I picked up studying aerospace eng, MEK isn't too bad. MEKP is the one to look out for!

MEK is methyl ethylketone.   What's MEKP? 

Ah, the peroxide -- that's explosive, MEK is just a good solvent.
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: ducpainter on December 23, 2014, 04:42:47 PM
MEKP is also an active ingredient in polyester hardener.
Title: Re: What's the best way to make your engine look new again?
Post by: red baron on December 24, 2014, 07:01:35 AM
leave off the "P"


MEK, is a medium speed evaporating grade of acetone (acetone being fast).


be careful with all of these, trust me I work with them everyday and have been well educated on their capabilities. [thumbsdown]