Hey guys hows it going? Im really hoping someone can help me with this. Im about to get my block sleeved/rebuilt and I had previously painted it + the head and tranny with VHT aluminum 1500 degree paint. The head came back from the shop (had it built) after hot-tanking with paint still left on it. Because of the high temp is the paint def not going to come off in the parts washer? Has anyone had this problem? I really dont want the paint on there anymore. Any ways to remove it?

Has anyone ever had their block/head/tranny beadblasted? Is it possible to do with the engine completely assembled so nothing enters the engine? I think id rather go this route if possible especially with the tranny because that obviously cant be thrown in a hot tank or anything at all.

Please share experiences and help me out with this, I just want an IMMACULATELY clean drivetrain for my new install TIA!

 

Bump it up!

 

i had a similar problem. i ended up carefully useing a chemical paint stripper and a wire brush. this was done on a completely stripped block which i then had hot tanked to make sure there was no chemicals left on or in the block. you could do this on a assebled engine but be carefull not to get the stripper on anything but the aluminum, and make sure you clean if off. You could try bead blasting but be very carefull not to damage anything (ie sensors) Good call on no paint, looks clean AND is the way every aluminum engine should be. paint on the block and head inhibits the engines ability to give off heat.

 

Thanks for the input...I hear you on no paint I really didnt want to do it but the block looked fugly and had corrosion on it so I cleaned it off best i could and sprayed. I will take your advice clean it off then send it out to get built and when its all back together beadblast it.

Has anyone beadblasted a fully assembled engine?

 

Bead blast it BEFORE you send it to get tanked and built.

Ask yourself this question... what will happen to my bearings if I get some glass beads in my oil?

Then you will know why you should not bead blast an assembled or partially assembled block.

On a funny note: I once bead blasted some pistons to clean them up. No biggie, machine shops do it all the time.

But I used too much air pressure...

So when I went to ring the pistons, the rings would not fit into the lands! I had basically mushroomed the lands when I was blasting!

I learned a great lesson...

Oh, and the answer to your question above that you should ask yourself... Glass beads will shred your bearings prett quick, so dont do it.

Instead... use Easyoff oven cleaner to remove the paint, then have it tanked. I would stay away from beads as they always seem to get in places you didnt want them...

 

So easy off is good for removing the engine paint on all parts?

As for the beadblasting I meant as completely assembled, as in nothing would be open...

I just want it to be clean as hell!! lol

 

TTT

 

Bump!!!

 

What about aircraft paint remover. Crazy stuff