Blacking out your engine, casing
#24
#25
I used the VHT header paint in flat black. I done the same as Jaysomethin. Tape everything you don't want painted and just paint. I didn't wash my engine off with some degreaser cleaner first to make sure there were no oils. Drinking straws if they fit good would be a good idea and I have read a guy used those little black plastic caps like the ones that are covering some of the bolts on the bike now. I didn't prime anything. I already had tape and paper so the project only cost me $8. Just remember after a coat wait for however long the can says to dry and then repaint. One can was enough for me to paint the whole engine with two coats. Let your engine idle after your done to bake on the paint if you get the VHT header paint.
Larry
Larry
#26
#27
#28
Hello Everyone,
I am new to the forum and recently purchased an 07 Nightster. I've been following this thread intently because my engine is in need of a quick facelift and I appreciate all the good info I've gleaned so far. Before I bought it the bike had been sitting in a barn for about a year and oxidation got under some of the paint on the engine casing and block. I plan to pull the engine this winter and really clean it up and repaint but wanted to do something now to make it look better. Anybody have any recommendations for how to clean it up for a quick paintjob as many of you have been doing? I was thinking of taking a dremmel with a wire wheel to the bad spots to remove the chipping paint on the engine (the really bad spots are in the little nooks and crannies around the heads, naturally) but after that what's the best way to clean up the oxidation to ensure the paint sticks? Can I spray the whole thing (not the heads) with some brake cleaner to remove it, along with accumulated road grime and oil? Will that harm the engine gaskets or cause other problems?
I also have many of the case bolts with oxidation and surface corrosion on the heads. Someone mentioned taking them out one at a time. Is it possible to take each one out, clean the bolt head and replace it, then rinse/repeat all the way around the case without ruining a gasket and causing a leak?
Any help on this would be great. Thanks!
I am new to the forum and recently purchased an 07 Nightster. I've been following this thread intently because my engine is in need of a quick facelift and I appreciate all the good info I've gleaned so far. Before I bought it the bike had been sitting in a barn for about a year and oxidation got under some of the paint on the engine casing and block. I plan to pull the engine this winter and really clean it up and repaint but wanted to do something now to make it look better. Anybody have any recommendations for how to clean it up for a quick paintjob as many of you have been doing? I was thinking of taking a dremmel with a wire wheel to the bad spots to remove the chipping paint on the engine (the really bad spots are in the little nooks and crannies around the heads, naturally) but after that what's the best way to clean up the oxidation to ensure the paint sticks? Can I spray the whole thing (not the heads) with some brake cleaner to remove it, along with accumulated road grime and oil? Will that harm the engine gaskets or cause other problems?
I also have many of the case bolts with oxidation and surface corrosion on the heads. Someone mentioned taking them out one at a time. Is it possible to take each one out, clean the bolt head and replace it, then rinse/repeat all the way around the case without ruining a gasket and causing a leak?
Any help on this would be great. Thanks!
#29
#30
sorry heres the pics of the finished job... both sides, came out real smooth, that gloss look died right out and has a nice wrinkle black matte finish..
It was just one can of harley wrinkle paint, im not the most mechanically inclined so I didnt remove anything... Still looks perfect after surviving a 9 day 3200 mile road trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NbLlctSuBY
It was just one can of harley wrinkle paint, im not the most mechanically inclined so I didnt remove anything... Still looks perfect after surviving a 9 day 3200 mile road trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NbLlctSuBY