Cleaning Engine Powdercoat

[xl1200r]

Well guys, this is in relation to the incident regarding Eagle One wheel cleaner. The good news is that the aluminum will clean up fine :clap . I may have to remove the lifter covers in order to get them up to par (I may just buy the chrome ones, but we'll see). But I have a new problem. All of the silver powdercoat on the engine cases and valve covers have these dark streaks all over them :cry1 . The bike has already been washed with S100 and the streaks are still there. Any ideas on what will take this off? I was almost thinking of trying one of those Mr. Clean "Magic Erasers" and see how that goes. I really don't want to buy new engine cases...If I can't get this squared away, I may have to give eagle-one a call. :censor

[chipdog4]

Oh geez, somebody else has the same problem as me. I've tried almost everything imaginable, from steam cleaning to brake cleaner. Nothing has got them off. I have found that the Wax-As-You-Dry crap will make it less noticable.

Only other ideas are to take the off and repaint them gray again, buy new take-offs of Ebay, or buy the chrome ones.

Let me know what you find out or do.

[chipdog4]

Here's a picture of mine, it looks awful.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/161054/fullsize/Sportsters%200050%20Closeup.jpg

[rickxx]

i've got the same problem too. mine's a stain on black powder coat. i've tried a couple of things (s100, simple green) but nothing's working. i'll keep checking back to see if anyone has a solution.

[xl1200r]

Chipdog, that's pretty much what mine looks like. Maybe a touch less severe, but still noticeable. I'm not real happy that only 2 people have repliec to this, and they both say that haven't been to get anything to take it off. I would defintaly consider taking the cases off and sending them out to get pwdercoated (I would do the same silver but I think that the high-gloss finish would look cool and custom), but I can't just do the primary, cam covers, and valvecovers because the engine case itslef has the problem. The bike was new in May and I would hate to have to tear the motor down already. HELP ME!!!

[Speedy818]

Well, apart from a great excuse to get your engine chromed, I would highly suggest that you try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Might take 5-10 minutes or so, but I'm constantly amazed at what that little white block can do. It took burned on boot rubber off of my cold pipes, in about 30 seconds. There's a new "scrubby" one that I picked up at Target that might help you get out the stains.

Speedy

[xl1200r]

The problem is I don't really want crome. But he bigger problem is that I don't really want to have to get the cases done as well. I feel like if I have to take the motor aprt that much, then I may as well really go through with head work and cams and everything. I really can't afford to do all of that. I'll try the magic eraser as soon as I can. I as much time as I can get if I have to take thing down...

[XLFREAK]

I've not had any dealings with a powder coat, however as in any finish, as long as it's not completey through, I would try a micro fine polish.
Maguires sells a 3-step system... paint cleaner, polish and wax.
It's a quality product, and worth a try.

[xl1200r]

I think the problem with a polishis that it's a rough finish. I think it would have a hard time getting into all of the little pits in it. I think I'm going to try a few things, but I'm extremely timid about using any other chemicals on it. If nothing I try works, I'm just going to take off the front sprocket cover and bring it into my dealer and tell him to sell me something.

[cantolina]

Wish I was a dealer near you......lol

I've had good luck with a few things...

Fellowes makes a screen cleaning wipe, of all things, that may help......also, I have found that orange cleaner (foaming) helps a lot too...

Good luck!

[xl1200r]

I did give Orange cleaner a though - something to try, and shoudln't hurt the finish any.

[skooter]

I was told that the powder coating is strippable using paint stripper. The aluminium underneath can be polished up to look like the regular polished engines. You don't need to buy new covers just put in some elbow grease and you can elliminate the powder coating. I know it isn't what you want to do but it is an alternative and really isn't hard to do. You don't have to take the cam cover off to strip it and everyhting else comes off and goes back on rather easily.

Good Luck

[mikeLI_77]

have you tried a marine store. they have cleaners that are supposed to get rid of tough water stains and other stains from fiberglass. i know your engine cases are not fiberglass but maybe they would have something that would work. marine stores usually carry some good cleaning products because boats can get real dirty and ordinary soaps won't clean them entirely. i know because i have a boat and there are some stains that would not come out no matter which soap i used. or have you tried brake cleaner or im sure harley sells an all in one cleaner (it's petroleum based) and it works good to get grease and gime off the bike. i had the same stuff for my old honda and it worked good at getting the grease and grime off the bike.

[skooter]

Hey great Idea! I'm sure harley has seen this problem before and should know how to clean your engine stains.

[xl1200r]

I talked to the dealer and they seemed to think that Brakleen would be the only thing that would touch it, so I'll have to give it a shot.

[chipdog4]

Already tried it, didn't do a damn thing. That marine stuff could work.

I actually tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I didn't really notice a huge difference, but I think it helped some.

I guess over the summer, with washing it after every ride, and letting it sit out in the sun have seemed to make it less severe.
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/163102/fullsize/New%20Grips%20Pictures%20030.jpg

[Joe S.]

That stuff must be pretty darned sensitive. I took my '05 in because it had a small stain on the right side engine cover. Whatever the dealer tried to use REALLY stained it and also slightly stained the inner cover. To their credit, in an attempt to make it right they offered me an engine chrome kit installed on their nickle. I have some staining on my dyna that is worse which I believe was from road grime that sort of baked on that actually looks worse. When something gets on that stuff it stays on.
One possibility if you are wanting polished parts. Consider looking around for someone who has done the chrome kit on their engine and now has their polished pieces to sell. There must be people out there who bought 883s and then upgraded. I have one friend in Indiana who was able to do this for fairly low cost, certainly beat hours at the polishing wheel. Could be a dealer might even have some take offs they would be willing to sell fairly reasonable.

[CyberZach]

I also had the staining problem on my gear case cover, Sprocket cover and my primary cover on my '04 883C tried meguiers scratch x and that helped a little but in the end I couldn't live with the stains that I could see so I replaced them all with polished Aluminum witch I think is what all the bikes with powdercoat pices should have. Powdercoat stains too easy and I couldn't find any thing to clean it if you have the 883C, the rocker covers are polished Aluminum so it matches quite nice and ties the engine together very well, anyway Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :)

[crackers]

i use a cheap degreaser (2 cans for $3)
works well, but ive been doing this since i brought the bike.
so, it might be prevention rather than a cure

cheers
crackers

[nuts883]

I used a cleaning wax and it worked pretty good at taking off some tar and oil blow-by. I had to wash the stuff off though, the rough surface doesn't allow you to just wipe it off.

[sportsterrific]

Try toothpaste and a toothbrush. It might work. DO NOT use the same brush to clean your teeth afterward.

[thunderpaw]

I think of the stains the same way that I do the dents in my car...I can't see 'em when I'm riding/driving! :D

Kim

(rat bike in training, lol!)

[dmraco]

I know this is a touchy subject but the HD chrome covers can be had for under $200 for the entire bike and look great. They are a snap to install. The best thing for powder coating it to never let it get dirty. Wash immediatly and blow it dry with air compressor and leaf blower. Water marks are a bitch! Grease is even worse

right now I have the lower motor chromed, powder coated cylinders, and polished heads. Looks fine but I would like to chrome the heads!

[designeraccd]

So far it seems nobody has a good answer for cleaning this dirt absorbing finish. I replaced the outer covers, etc so my 1200R's engine now looks a lot like my '02 1200 std. At least with only the inner cases still having that flat, fughly finish it minimizes the dirt absorbing surface area. DFO

[NedNimrod]

I take a clean rag, spray with WD 40 and wipe off the powdercoat where is is needed. Works well and is easy to do.
Ned

[xl1200r]

this is such a god damned pain...

[Gone]

I have two dark spots under the plegs.. I am pissed about it too....

[ejlab]

Hard water stains in coffee pots can be cleaned by soaking in vinegar. You got nothin' to lose trying. Do this in an inconspicuous area first to see if it also stains.

Hey, you've tried everything else, why not.

[whispanic]

I got some rubber and grime on my cases and I just hit it with that Honda bike cleaner spray that cleans all surfaces. Stuck came off reall nice. I'd think WD40 would have a similar effect. Its a tool with pro car washers too.

Adios

[daesdaemar]

pig spit or pig snot

[nnevala]

I have recently began pulling all the chrome off my bike for the powder coat black look. I will trade my chrome pieces for the streaked grey aluminum covers. My covers are off my 02 XL custom. Any takers? email me at nnevala@yahoo.com
Nathan

[xlhflh]

S-100 makes something for cleaning/re-newing powder coated jugs. It works well but is not a permanent solution. I think it's called 'engine brite' or something like that.
Good Luck
Bob

[RedRider]

There is a product called Purple Power that I use for tough stains. It's a multi-purpose cleaner similar to Simple Green, but stronger. I buy it at Advance Auto.

It's good stuff, give it a try.

[loudpipesportster]

you can make your aluminum look new for about $15.at the napa store here its in a gallon jug called aluminum brightener made by clean rite.its in just a plain jug with the words on it nothing fancy.it works great on stuff thats not polished.i use it on the fuel tanks on my big truck.of course mine gets alot more road grim but i spray them down real good let it set for a few mins then spray it off.then spray it down again and rub it in real good so it dont streak and they have a nice smooth shine.after you clean them you could probably use some mothers and make them shine like chrome.i bet you a hundred dollars to a doughnut it will fix your troubles.

[Shu]

I have recently began pulling all the chrome off my bike for the powder coat black look. I will trade my chrome pieces for the streaked grey aluminum covers. My covers are off my 02 XL custom. Any takers? email me at nnevala@yahoo.com
Nathan

I'm a giver, but in this case, I'll take your offer to trade.

[Screwdriver]

Old post....just wanted to bump it to see if anyone has found a solution to this issue.

[DRAWTOOL]

Boys, I may have it. I scatched my (silver) powdercoating slightly when I removed the rear cover for my "painting the flair" mod. So I had some steel wool, do not know what weight, not too heavy anyhow, and I was able to burnish off the scatches. While I was there I had some minor boot scuffs and oil stains from my hands, so I attacked them as well. Seemed to work OK without damaging the powdercoat. One of you with some major streaking could window out a small spot and try it, pretty easy to do, I just would'nt get too rough with it right away. Let me know if you do and how it works for you. If it screws up your cases, I was never here.:wonderlan

[renosportster]

Have you tried Hand cleaner with pumise work it in with your finger and the rinse with a wet white towel. sometimes this works to get the stain out

[misterT]

I have seen Lava hand soap work wonders at removing rust. I have never tried it on the powder coat though. i did notice some discoloration on my pulley from the Turtle wax mag rim cleaner. i have yet to try to remove it.

[fye824]

I have an 08 nightster that is only a few weeks old. I noticed it was staining on the outer primary covera around one of the bolts so I tried to clean it with some castrol super clean. This not only didnt clean the stains off if made the situation even worse. It didnt help that the engine was still warm either. Im to the point now that I am pulling the covers off and having them powder coated black. I was talking to the pro's getting prices and they told me there is nothing you can do it is forever stained if it doesnt wash off with soap and water. By the way I am getting my outer primary, cam, and sprocket covers done for 250. which is way less expensive then going to chrome. I know I dont have that kind of cash laying around right now. Anyway good luck all of you!

[cafe_dave]

Im not sure if this will help with everyones problem but on the black use Armoral or if its available No Touch tire spray
just on the black wipe off the excess then the rest burns off......I have done this for many years and have had no issues ever the engine always looks great.
But mine have always been black.

[fye824]

I will definitely keep your cleaning method in mind once I get my covers powder coated black. It just sucks that I have to rip apart a brand new bike to fix the eye sore that I created. I should have just left it alone it was only a small spot, but oh well its to late now.

[CosmicHD]

I'll bite on the old string.

I have black powder coat engine and have never washed it, just sprayed it off. I have thought about washing it, but now I am not sure what the hell would work on it. Anyone know?

Of course, I could just keep spraying it off and letting any grime/oil/etc be just part of it's character. It is black, so any marking is not as severe as it would be on silver powdercoat.

[stratplexi]

For you guys with black engines here is how I took care of my Night Train and its simple and kept it looking new.

1) Make sure the bike is fairly cool before cleaning.

2) I always used Harley bike wash and water when cleaning. No other cleaners or chemicals.

3) About once every month or two, treat all the black areas with S-100 engine brite. MAKE SURE THE BIKE IS CLEAN AND COOL WHEN USING THIS. Read the instructions and follow them. This stuff makes a dull looking black engine look like new.

That's it...very simple and effective. My motor stayed just like it was new.

[CosmicHD]

Thanks stratplexi!

Hey, is your name in reference to a Fender/Marshall combo?

[stratplexi]

Yeah, I spent a lot of years playing Strats in Marshalls. A combo that is hard to beat....

[Tonny258]

I really can't afford to do all of that. I'll try the magic eraser as soon as I can. I as much time as I can get if I have to take thing down.

[flashedwards]

So, Tonny258...that was your first post? In that case welcome from Norcal. What about you and your scooter?
Flash