Any tips on cleaning road grime on engine??
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From:
Any tips on cleaning road grime on engine??
I picked up a 2000 FXDX this past summer that was neglected. I guess I kinda felt sorry for it!
Anyways.....along with the crummy "black out" paint over the chrome that is peeling, the bike was left outside in all weather, gravel road ridden etc.....so it needs some cleaning up.
I have taken off the rocker covers, timing chain cover, clutch cover, primary cover, upper engine mount, pipes, upper trees and bars, tank and fenders, foot controls, etc. The engine is pretty exposed now.
Id like to degrease and clean it up. I know from other bikes ive owned the Harley engine crinkle paint is pretty durable and it should clean up. Any tips on what product works best?
Also, what can i do to clean up the machine finished edges of the cooling fins on the engine? Scotch brite pad? Or is there a clear coat on the fins to protect from dulling?
Lastly, all the bolts on the engine are dulled out grey and rusty colored. I was thinking about just buying caps to put over the bolt heads to cover them up. Any thoughts? Other wide Id probably have to buy all new hardware and replace 1 at a time.
Thanks for the ideas
Anyways.....along with the crummy "black out" paint over the chrome that is peeling, the bike was left outside in all weather, gravel road ridden etc.....so it needs some cleaning up.
I have taken off the rocker covers, timing chain cover, clutch cover, primary cover, upper engine mount, pipes, upper trees and bars, tank and fenders, foot controls, etc. The engine is pretty exposed now.
Id like to degrease and clean it up. I know from other bikes ive owned the Harley engine crinkle paint is pretty durable and it should clean up. Any tips on what product works best?
Also, what can i do to clean up the machine finished edges of the cooling fins on the engine? Scotch brite pad? Or is there a clear coat on the fins to protect from dulling?
Lastly, all the bolts on the engine are dulled out grey and rusty colored. I was thinking about just buying caps to put over the bolt heads to cover them up. Any thoughts? Other wide Id probably have to buy all new hardware and replace 1 at a time.
Thanks for the ideas
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,616
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I'm a bit confused but it may be me. You have the engine cases off and the rocker covers off and you want to degrease the engine. Is this before or after the covers are back on. Surely I hope not while they are off. Many pieces of those hardware are torqued in place for a reason and are critical (head bolts). Use an old tooth brush and some WD-40 and just go around the engine and clean in place. A lot of guys on here like simple Green mixed 50/50 with water, don't let it dry, it might etch aluminum.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From:
Ya I guess degrease wasnt the best word. More like a detail like you describe. I degreased before I took apart.....now I just want to clean some of the nooks and crannies and maybe bring some of the dullness and discoloration back
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
