varnish...how to remove it from crankcase. Yes, cranckase

[Ramjam]

you read correctly. I asked a body shop a year ago to polish up my crankcase sections and found that in fact they had polished, then sprayed the cases with varnish.
Now it's all pealing and flaking and looks awful and i want to start restoring the bike.

Is there an easy way to get it all off?

any advice appreciated


the only gt380 in lebanon...

[Suzukidave]

They make spray paint removers that are safe on aluminum that will get the old finish off .

[Ramjam]

thanks, but thats western idea. Think third world. All these products just dont exist in Lebanon. JUst sunshine, bullets and homous...

[Suzukidave]

Is it too difficult to get items like this mailed in ? http://solventkleene.com/strip.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[oldjapanesebikes]

You are certain it is varnish Martin ? Not a clear coat of some sort ? Most traditional varnishes should be soluble in a hydrocarbon solvent - you could soak the cases in diesel for example and it should remove it after a few days. Clear coat will need something different. If you can't buy a consumer grade paint remover then you can make one - they typically use a caustic ingredient like household lye or soda. Just scan the internet for different formulations and do some spot testing as you can damage the aluminium if not careful.

[argo1974]

I think any nitro solvent will work great, just ask some car paint shop.

[Ramjam]

i was thinking of making a very basic baking powder solution bath and putting 12 volts across the pieces with a cathode and an anode? would that work?

[Suzukidave]

That reads more like a part derusting bath , i dont know what that would do to a clear coat ?

[oldjapanesebikes]

That reads more like a part derusting bath , i don't know what that would do to a clear coat ?

Correct Dave - that's for de-rusting and won't touch paint. As argo1974 offered, a solvent approach would work, but you have to be careful about the fumes and the risk of fire.

[Suzukidave]

And some are a bit harsh on aluminum and can cause embrittlement (sp) or faster oxidation if not completely neutralized .

[Ramjam]

what about old fashioned turpentine? if the cases were soaked in it, perhaps overnight, would it all magically just come off?

thanks for all your replies!

MJ

[Suzukidave]

One way to find out MJ

[Ramjam]

i hear break fluid is also quite effective for stripping the paint of your, er, ex-wive's new beemah [edit] oh heck, i didn't mean to write that

[Suzukidave]

I used brake fluid to take the silver spray paint off the tail light lens on this project viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7992" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; worked great and didnt harm the plastic .

[Ramjam]

oh man, i miss my old 88 gixer. used to only run on three cylinders most of the time but still shifted like *()*(*

Stupid air filter design though , if i recall but amazing sound and acceleration

Gixers are popular here and many people put upright handlebars on them.