| Author |
Message |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1245
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 9:15 pm: | |
>>which the green undercoat was to fill. <<
Pete, the green undercoat is Zinc Chromate Primer, it's used to allow the paint a surface to adhere to. The ZC bonds to aluminum...the paint can then bond to the ZC. Not used much any more (although it should be) because it's much harder to find than in days gone by.
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pete gorrell (Rufus)
New member
Username: Rufus
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 8:09 pm: | |
Thanks, JRV.
My early V12 essentially had everything painted (including the light green primer) except what could be seen from above. Not: valve covers, carbs, intakes. The rest, apparently to fill small voids in the aluminum, which the green undercoat was to fill.
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James Selevan (Jselevan)
Member
Username: Jselevan
Post Number: 479
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 4:09 pm: | |
I'm surprised no one raised the question concerning heat dissipation. Is there an issue?
Jim S. |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Junior Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 224
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 4:04 pm: | |
I must say thanks to all who resonded to this question. It sometimes seems that "detailing" type questions get put on the back burner. Not this time, excellent advice and tips. Again, a big Thanks to everyone. Sincerely; Jeff |
Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member
Username: 4re_gt4
Post Number: 1066
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 3:28 pm: | |
BE CAREFULL with Mag Wheel cleaner, as different brands use vastly different formulas. I just tried one brand on a small sample of aluminum, and it turned it chalky. Turns out the main ingredient in this brand is lye, which is a no-no on alum. Other brands use various acids, some are just solvents. |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1244
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 3:03 pm: | |
To answer your opening question, all the early V12 engines were painted from the factory (blocks, timing covers, vc's) , except for heads and intake manifolds, the real early cars even had painted (black) carbs. |
Ben Millermon (Brainsboy)
Junior Member
Username: Brainsboy
Post Number: 226
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 9:13 am: | |
A month or so ago, I pulled my motor for a rebuild, I tried everything to clean it, and everything worked slowly, it was taking forever. Then I found some Mag Wheel cleaner I had in the garage. When I sprayed it on, the dirt and grim just washed away, it works perfectly. The Mag wheel cleaner gives it a brand new look. Its so clean it looked as if was just made. Some spots you have to use with a tooth brush but for the most part just spray it on and wash it off and you have perfectly new looking aluminum |
DJParks (Djparks)
Junior Member
Username: Djparks
Post Number: 120
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 8:08 am: | |
I forgot to mention that I also used a high heat clear coat made by Eastwood Restoration products to keep the aluminum from restaining and corroding. It's called 'NYALIC' and is a very light bodied clear good to 400 degrees F. I even used it on my rear heat shield and it didn't burn off under normal heat.
DJ |
DJParks (Djparks)
Junior Member
Username: Djparks
Post Number: 119
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 8:04 am: | |
For rough cast surfaces that are stained I used NAPA brand Aluminum Brightener which consists of Hydroflouric Acid. It did a nice job of lifting the discoloration on many hard to reach areas of the engine and trans axle. Scrub with a brass bristle brush and rinse off with water.
It is NOT recommended for polished or clear coated aluminum surfaces.
Two cents, DJ |
Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member
Username: Eric308gtsiqv
Post Number: 717
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 7:49 am: | |
In order to restore the entire engine to a "new" appearance, you would most likely need to do the job with the engine out. There are a lot of nooks and crannies that would be nearly impossible to clean / polish with the engine in the car...not to mention all that parts that would be in the way. I've heard of several TR owners who've had their engines restored / repainted / polished while the engine was out for service. In the meantime, you could give the engine a good polish / shine / touch-up on all the visible areas. Rub 'N Buff would be perfect for this. If I'm not mistaken, a fellow F-Chatter here, Ric Rainbolt, did a complete restoration of his TR's engine (engine out of course). Seems like he posted some pics here on the board of the results...you might search the archives.
I did my 308 with the engine in the car, and it was a chore to do. The intake plenum had to be removed to be stripped / cleaned / and repainted red. Once the engine surfaces were clean, I used Rub 'N Buff (thanks to Magoo for the tip) with excellent results -- just remember, a little bit goes a long way. Use plenty of soft blankets to protect and cover the fenders of the car too.
Also, thought I'd mention that WD-40 is great for cleaning the plug wires and shining up rubber and plastic surfaces in the engine compartment...just spray some on a shop rag and clean away. Be careful though, as WD-40 will also wipe away some of the Rub 'N Buff. Very fine grade steel wool is great for polishing certain metal surfaces too...just be careful on areas that are cadmium (??) plated (it can remove the plating).
Hope this helps...and keep us posted how your engine turns out. |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Junior Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 223
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 7:01 pm: | |
My TR's engine is getting that oxidized look to it. I've cleaned it over and over, but can't seem to restore it to "new" appearance. I did get some Rub 'N Buff to use, but am also considering painting it too. I have seem other engines painted in aluminum color and when done right they looked great. I know this topic has a lot of miles on it, but summer is coming or so the weather man says (got 6" of snow today), and it's time to start detailing. |