Best method for removed crud/oxidation...

[tc80211]

Hey Guys,

1983 r65LS
My cylinders look just awful... so I want to clean them up and either:
-paint
-get them to beautiful bare aluminum

Anyone have any recommendations for cleaning these fins? Closer to the motor, the deeper they get and I am finding it difficult to get sand paper or anything really... Valve covers, already done and primed, going black on them...

[montmil]

I may caution you that sandpaper is not a good idea to use on the aluminum components of your R65. The scratches created will not present a pretty image to you, bare or painted. Even fine paper scratches provide additional area for that nasty corrosion to develop.

The best and quickest way to get down into the gaps between the fins would be to utilize a mild blast agent such as soda or walnut shell. Soda is nice as it will dissolve in water while you wash the jugs before shooting paint.

Delray Beach sounds like it might be a humid, salty environment. I'd would recommend paint. Bare aluminum will begin corroding even before you've reinstalled those pretty new cylinders.

Expect some others to chime in with their suggestions, too.

[tc80211]

Thanks for the reply! Researching media blasting services in my area. I was leaning towards paint, because of my location. And also the overall look I want.

[Bob_Roller]

I've worked with alloyed aluminum on aircraft for 38 years .

And one thing it likes to do is tarnish and turn gray when you remove the oxidized layer that is on it .

With your being on the coast in Florida, I think I'd plan on some sort of coating on the bare metal .