Case /Block cleaning

bigdog04

bigdog04

Member
I have the natural, unpolished finish on my 117" case and it is turning a brown color. A brown spotty, tint if you will. I seen signs of this about two seasons ago and tried several different things but it seems to be getting worse. I've been trying things I hear locally that work but nothings working . I got to get a handle on this before it gets worse. AND it looks terrible. Any ideas. Thanks.
 
JoshT

JoshT

Active Member
I had my motor out this winter...and I used some brake cleaner and alot of elbow grease with a stiff brush and rags. It seemed to work... well at least alot better than anything else I came across. Good Luck and let me know if you find anything else better out there
 
chacha

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Service Bulletin 1043 talks to this;

Non-polished engine cases may become discolored or develop rust deposits. These can be eliminated with the application of CLR cleaner.
Note: Use only in well ventilated area
CLR is corrosive. Always wear eye protection and rubber gloves. Read and follow all product directions and warning labels.
Directions:

1. Prepare surface by cleaning with mild soap and water.
2. Rinse with enough water to remove all traces of soap.
Do not apply cleaner to a warm engine.
3. Dry surface prior to treatment.
4. Carefully mix equal amounts of CLR and warm water. 1/4 cup of each should be sufficient.
5. The surface to be cleaned must be cool.
6. Apply the mixture to the prepared surface.
7. Allow the mixture to set at least 30 seconds and no longer than 2 minutes.
Note: Avoid getting mixture on chrome or painted surfaces.
8. Scrub vigorously with brass wire brush.
9. Rinse promptly with cold clear water.
10. Dry surface and reapply if necessary.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
bigdog04 said:
I have the natural, unpolished finish on my 117" case and it is turning a brown color. A brown spotty, tint if you will. I seen signs of this about two seasons ago and tried several different things but it seems to be getting worse. I've been trying things I hear locally that work but nothings working . I got to get a handle on this before it gets worse. AND it looks terrible. Any ideas. Thanks.
Click to expand...
S&S used to sell cleaning kits for their engines, including metal poilsh, buffing heads to use with cordless drills, etc. You might check out their website and/or give their customer service dept a call.
 
barhopper

barhopper

Another round please
My cases are unpolished. I want to get them polished and make the motor look awesome. I guess I will have to wait till the motor blows then git er done.
 
BIKERDAD61

BIKERDAD61

Puddle Pusher
bigdog04 said:
I have the natural, unpolished finish on my 117" case and it is turning a brown color. A brown spotty, tint if you will. I seen signs of this about two seasons ago and tried several different things but it seems to be getting worse. I've been trying things I hear locally that work but nothings working . I got to get a handle on this before it gets worse. AND it looks terrible. Any ideas. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I had the same exact thing happen. I ended up going to a home improvment store (Menards) and getting a spray bottle of cleaner / rust stain remover. I sprayed it on just the affected areas of the cyl. jugs and the case then used a small stainless steel wire brush(don't use a carbon steel brush) to scrub the areas. Don't get the cleaner on paint, chrome or polished aluminum surfaces! Then took a damp cloth and wiped the area to remove the cleaner residue. Just do a spot at a time and it works great. After everything had dryed, I took a rag dampened with WD-40 and wiped the effected area. Do this and take your time, it will look like new again. Trust me it works.

My theory on these rusted areas is the parts at the factory came into contact with a carbon steel / Ferrous based material and created what's called cross contamination. The iron particles get embeded in the base material and then they corrode. The same thing would happen if someone took steel wool and tried to use it to clean or polish a aluminum part. Aluminum will corrode, it's known as White Rust Oxidation. But these brown hazy areas are steel oxidation.
 
Bmarchant

Bmarchant

Active Member
I just used the Wizards metal polish and a tooth brush, and it took the rust looking stains right out.
 
bigdog04

bigdog04

Member
Thanks for all of the replies. I would like to know how would you keep the corrosive cleaners away from the paint , chrome, and the polished aluminum without taking the engine out, if possible? (I will try the less corrosive approach first for sure). But still would like to know.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
bigdog04 said:
Thanks for all of the replies. I would like to know how would you keep the corrosive cleaners away from the paint , chrome, and the polished aluminum without taking the engine out, if possible? (I will try the less corrosive approach first for sure). But still would like to know.
Click to expand...
Just be careful and take your time. The engine is closest to the frame, which is powder-coated and a little more 'bullet-proof' than sheet metal paint. Putting your bike up on a lift would help as well...it's tough to get under the engine while the bike's sitting on the ground.
 
R

Ratman

Active Member
Go to a Wal-Mart or other discount store or drug store and look in the section where adult diapers are sold. There is a product (one brand name is Chux) that has a soft absorbent material on one side and plastic on the other. The standard size is 30"x30". Drape this over your paint with the soft absorbent side turned towards the paint...and the plastic side near where you are spraying. It should keep the spray off the paint. I put these on my bike any time I work on it.
While you are in that section of the store anyway you may as well go ahead and pick up some adult diapers-so you won't have to stop to pee on the way home if you have been out drinking too much. Let's see Gasman top that how-to! :D
 
avdhunter

avdhunter

Active Member
Go to your local boat dealer and pick ya up a can or 2 of this stuff. It's called Johnson Engine Tuner. It doesn't take much to do the job. It will clean anything and won't mess up your polished aluminum either if you accidently get some on it. Depending on how bad it is you may need a small brass wire brush. When you wipe it off it will leaving a thin layer of slightly oilly protection behind!!! Hope this helps.:cheers:

 
bigdog04

bigdog04

Member
This is what I got from S&S when I asked them the same question..... We use Simple Green and a stiff brush to clean our motors. Make sure the
motor is cold when you do the work and work in spots to avoid the soap
drying onto the motor....Again, this straight from S&S.
 
RAW Blue Rider

RAW Blue Rider

Active Member
Aluminum Cleaner ???

:flag:
I use Aluminum Wheel Cleaner. Be Sure to get one that is NOT acidic.
The label will say so.

Just Spray on and hose off.... Brilliant!

Happy Motoring
RAW
 
Tom Chop

Tom Chop

Active Member
Cleaning/Polishing Aluminun

I saw a buddy`s bike that really got fucked up;sweet rigid frame chop with springer and Indian bottlecap 100" motor and a 300mm rear tire. He used a car wash that he lived next door to. Unfortunately they used some cheap-assed soap which contained a phosphorous element. The stuff really screwed-up his polished aluminum. After endless work to bring the bike back to a reasonably decent condition he vowed to never use a quarter car wash again. Words to heed if you care to keep the shine and sheen on your own scooter.
:flag: Take Care Tom Chop :cheers:
 
Ray

Ray

Well-Known Member
I have got most of the scooter cleaned and polished up since I have had it,( it was left in the weather before I got it), " Wires brushes, Simple green, Wheel Cleaners <-{all of them} scare the H--- out of me as far as being in the same garage with the scooter. I have seen wheel cleaners that say Safe for all metal wheels and still have that Acidic stink to them. I am going to come up with something to use as far as a Tool to use when I get to cleaning my motor. I will possibly , more than likely use mother's polish , billet polish, Victory makes a good polish too. I tryed the stuff someone told me they cleaned their S&S motor with, Goof Off, citrus smelling orange stuff, A waste of time and money. It is going to take elbow grease, and patience most of all.
I would come more nearer puttting an old toothbrush in my mouth, never , ever on the scooter. You clean carbs and throttle bodys with the old toothbrush, any kind of wire brush on the motor, well I would go nuts!


Ray
 
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