Cleaning the cylinder for painting

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Ian James

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Have just got it back after re bore and need to paint how do I clean it and what do I ain't it with ?
 
Most machine shops have a pickle bath. In the past I've had them pickle a barrel over the weekend and it comes back as clean as a whistle. No mess, no fuss and a perfect surface for paint.
 
Do what you will with the barrel regards painting
But with a fresh bore don't just degrease it
Scrub the hell out of it with a hand scourer and washing up liquid
 
The original black paint on my 850 was hard stuff, I sandblasted it, but it took time
 
I wash with soap and water and if really dirty, a power washer. Then sandblast. I do not try to get all old paint off - just any rust and any paint that comes off easily. Then I paint with "VHT SP905 Gloss Black Barrel Spray Paint Can - 11 oz." which I get from Amazon. I start with the barrel upside down - do 2-3 coats, then turn them over and do 2-3 coats. On the 1-2 coats upside down and right side up, it's important to start by getting in close and trying to get paint into the places where it won't easily hit spraying at a normal distance - quick bursts. If you see a run starting, stop - it will flow out. Then finish the overall coats.

Since you have a fresh bore, it's important to clean and oil the bores between steps.

To see ready to paint, and finished, look 1/4 way down on this page: https://www.gregmarsh.com/MC/Norton/CustomerCombat.aspx
 
bsaboss said:
Most machine shops have a pickle bath. In the past I've had them pickle a barrel over the weekend and it comes back as clean as a whistle. No mess, no fuss and a perfect surface for paint.
Click to expand...

You can make your own pickle bath if you can obtain some sodium hydroxide (NaOH). About 1 cup per gallon of water, soak overnight, rinse well.

If you cannot get NaOH, check out drain cleaner at your local hardware store. Most drain cleaners contain NaOH in high concentration, and are very caustic. It is the high caustic pH that does the cleaning, and does not hurt iron.

Slick
 
The Rad shop local to me used a caustic solution for paint removal, it just dissolves and comes off in sheets.
 
L1150779.JPG



Vapor blasted, painted with POR engine block enamel.
Total cost under $50...the paint was the expensive part. Used a sponge brush to paint in between the fins.
 
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A friend has a commercial vapor blaster. It does not do a good job of removing paint or rust. Maybe it depends on the medium, but I don't think it's aggressive enough for prepping a barrel for painting.
 
Eastwood’s epoxy black spray
It’s a 2 part system that’s got a device you release before activating it’s all in one spray can. I just finished my 72 and this worked really well
 
If sandblaster is not available or its winter and the power-washer is not compatible with your indoor workshop:
  • Copper wire brush to get majority of loose paint and scale off.
  • Follow with Scotchbrite pad (red-orange coarse) soaked in paint thinner between fins for further cleaning.
  • When pads come off “clean” let dry thoroughly.
  • Prime with Rustoleum Red or Eastwood ceramic primer.
  • Top coat with Rustoleum Gloss Black, Hi-temp or BBQ Black for satin finish or as zefer mentioned the Eastwood two-part spray (very durable). I have used the Rustoleum Gloss Black on my Triumph and had no issues with temperature and the gloss cleans better than the BBQ black.
 
Regarding gloss vs flat black:

It is an insignificant difference, but flat black radiates away heat about 2-3% better than gloss.

Slick
 
IMHO both flat and high gloss paints are not appropriate for barrels.
ihave used VTH high temperature case paint SP903 with very good results. Finish is a semi-gloss
 
Vapor blasting...the aggression of the medium is versatile...depends on how you want it to look.
The surface to be painted is clean of any oil or grime

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The previous owner painted these valve covers purple over original Ford blue.
I had them vapor blasted and then I repainted. They used water with plastic bead medium....no degradation to the fins, raised lettering or magnesium alloy.
I picked the tight shot for viewing detail.
Total blasting labor time was an hour.

131_3140.JPG
 
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The paint on the iron barrels would come off best with Black Beauty, O or OO grade.
 
You don't have to remove the old paint to paint over it. Just need to thoroughly clean it and scuff it up.
 
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