Have cleaned down engine case and got rid of all the grease and oil. any suggestions how to detail it further other than painting it so it looks smart.It is a dull grey colour at he moment and want it to be more presentable.

Hi temp paint is the only sensible thing to use.
Engine paint. But dont use black.

A nifty way to really clean up grotty aluminium is Mr Muscle oven cleaner.

This stuff seems to rip all the baked in grime and is far less streaky in its finish than using mag wheel cleaner.
The cases look like they have just bee sand blasted.

We used to get spectacular results on grubby go-kart engines with it. Vegetable oil would bake into the cases leaving it crappy brown, never to be remove until this stuff was used.

L8tr
E

Was concerned about blasting as I thought that the media would get in the oil galleries. have other people blasted cases before? Would Mr muscle work on outside of fuel pump as well?

Probably a custom look but not too wild

Oven cleaner is pretty caustic and can react with aluminium. What type of case are you talking about? Type 1 Magnesium or Type 4 alloy?

It is type 1 magnesium I think!

thanks for the tip. I'll give it a go and see how it comes up

wire brush works well, here is a link to my painted motor, used motor spray heat proof paint from auto barn
http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?action=attachment&ti...

[Edited on 2-5-2005 by akean1]

Thanks for the pictures

Hi,
This case was bead blasted while apart and came up a treat. I like the look of bare clean metal, but it took a lot of air and washing before I was satisfied that all the grit was gone. If I do another engine I'd probably use the VHT alloy paint for a long lasting good look. I've used VHT paints on other engines (non VW) and it is really good stuff. Works best if baked for a while.
Cheers!
Toby

What do you mean baked awhile.

I don't claim to know by personal experience, but a trusted VW mechanic said that painting your case will keep heat in the motor, thereby increasing your oil temperature.
Best to leave it unpainted according to him. Especially the cylinders and heads, but apparently the case as well.
cheers
vassy

You bake it in an industrial oven at 200 degrees C for 30 minutes I think. From memory I think it was even recommended on the VHT tin but I may be wrong. Would pay to check this. I had my barrels done this way.
Cheers!
Toby

cleaned it all up with mr muscle but i think i will paint it as well for the desired result. need a bit more information on what vassy wrote regarding paint holding the heat in, i think i need to ask around. if it is a problem i will just be happy with the finish i have.

Cheers

M8, forstly, did they come up alright with the oven cleaner?

Secondly, i would not get bent out of shape about painted cases retaining heat.

L8tr
E

guya any form of coating effects heat retention..steve knott from comp engines is also a ceramic coater...his view leave the case paint free and i agree...otherwise a factory exchanged engine [aircooled] would of been painted which vw didnot...sounds like there is something there??remember the case also acts as a cooler! cheers dsk steve

Only as long as MUMS not home

I think Brad did proper testing on this and found the paint made stuff all difference.

Now i,m getting confused. The mr muscle did come up alright but not as good as i would like. the picture of the painted case and barrels look trick.I talked to another bloke and he said a light coat of paint SHOULD be fine