Paint removal without harming polished head

[fftoddster]

Picking up engine this week. Any good way to remove paint from the polished head without messing up the polished finish?
Or do I just clean real good and paint over existing paint?

Color either black or dark green but leaning black.

Was painted between fins... in case my pic does not post.

[fftoddster]

Pic

[FrankWest]

try Laquer thinner. Do small areas at a time.

[19Fordy]

Here's a good article about cleaning aluminum with Coleman Fuel, Acetone or Lacquer thinner . All will work without harming the aluminum. The problem is the fumes produced.
http://forum.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=33805

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I would think paint on a polished surface would not stick very well. Perhaps a plastic stick shaved down to something of an edge similar to a chisel that can get between the fins would be able to remove a good portion of the paint before resorting to other means .....

[fftoddster]

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Also painting engine... Anyone with experience of either?

Bill Hirsch paint with brush? what type of brushes?

Or Eastwood 2k high temp ceramic spray paint?

[JSeery]

I'm a big fan of the Bill Hirsch brushed on. Not sure the brush matters much as long as it is not shedding bristles. The Bill's paint flows out nicely.

[19Fordy]

I painted my engine with Bill Hirsch paint using a brush. JSeery is right about bristle shedding. Use a good quality brush with natural bristles. A little more expensive but worth it. The paint flows out beautifully. DO NOT keep going back and forth "rebrushing" the wet paint as it will impede its flow out. 2 or 3 strokes at most and you're done. Read directions on can. Very resistant to gas and oil.
In photos below the heads were sprayed and the rest was brushed.

[cas3]

brake cleaner is stronger than lacquer thinner i believe, i use it to clean the paint gun

[philipswanson]

Just paint over existing paint if its in good shape.

[alandomer]

How about using carb cleaner? Then remove the residue with acetone.

[Tinker]

We used to paint our aluminum club plates totally with paint and remove the high areas with a rag and mineral spirits or acetone. It'll take time, but will work and not harm the aluminum. When done spray it with wd.


Not sure why there is reason to paint finned heads. but whatever

[fftoddster]

Originally Posted by Tinker

We used to paint our aluminum club plates totally with paint and remove the high areas with a rag and mineral spirits or acetone. It'll take time, but will work and not harm the aluminum. When done spray it with wd.


Not sure why there is reason to paint finned heads. but whatever

Well the previous owner had painted the fins. I do not believe I can get back the factory finish so figure best to repaint.

[fftoddster]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Just paint over existing paint if its in good shape.

Areas are chipping off of block. Apparently they did not prep well.

[Tinker]

or remove them and clean/polish shiny nice. not a huge deal. Just a 20$ gasket. Whatever works for you. To get a polish finish on heads you need to do it yourself, send off, or find a local guy anyway, rarely a standard factory aftermarket finish on most heads now or before. Never on early aluminum ford factory heads.




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