Restoring engine cases

Blackjack31
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Shelby, NC US
Edited Date/Time 10/26/2019 8:17am
So this winter I will be splitting the cases on my 2013 yz250. I will most likely be buying a sand blaster and blast cabinet. What do you recommend doing to restoring the engine cases back to stock. Or closest to it. I’ve heard glass bead and walnut shell are the best. I’ve also heard you have to clear coat after. But in my head, doesn’t clear coat come off easy? Say after a season of riding? What about cerakote? Blasting them and then putting a silver cerakote over the cases? Or should I just go wild with some scotch brites. My biggest fear is that I will blast the cases and then they will go right back to the dingy look because the coating is off of them. Opinions?
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Blackjack31
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Shelby, NC US
10/21/2019 8:50am
Another option, vapor blasting. This looks reallyyyy good and I would be interested but every company has quoted me at least $100 to do them. But would I spend $100 and be in the same position in a year because the coating is wore off?
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
10/21/2019 9:03am
Im doing my brothers kx250f right now. Im doing a scotch brite finish. Dremel and little scotch brite wheels. Looks great. I think im in it $35-40 for the rotary tool from harbor freight and the attachments off amazon.

Another option is vapor blasting. This is probably the best finish available. Will cost $100 to do.

I tried soda blasting before and it wasnt terrible. Personally id choose vapor or scotch brite over anything else.

As for protection you can look into clear anodizing.
2
Paul_Pitzonka
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Grand Terrace, CA US
10/21/2019 4:12pm Edited Date/Time 10/21/2019 4:17pm
X2 on vapor blasting. It leaves an amazing finish... nothing compares to it... I have a small vapor blasting cabinet large enough to fit cases; absolutely love it... If you end up going the vapor blasting route just make sure you clean the cases of all thick dirt/grease/oil as the media doesn’t like to cut through that very easily... Also once you get them back clean them thoroughly the media loves to pack itself in tight crevices...
garagedog
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Tulare, CA US
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10/21/2019 6:19pm
Vapor blast will come out best. Nice finish that is easy to clean up.

You could try baking soda in your blast cabinet. It only knocks off the dirt. It wont pit the metal. Walnut shells have similar results.

Glass beading or aluminum oxide will micro nick up the metal and then it looks clean but as soon as you get dirt or grime on it, it will very hard to make it fresh and clean again.

The Shop

Blackjack31
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403
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Location
Shelby, NC US
10/21/2019 9:53pm
X2 on vapor blasting. It leaves an amazing finish... nothing compares to it... I have a small vapor blasting cabinet large enough to fit cases; absolutely...
X2 on vapor blasting. It leaves an amazing finish... nothing compares to it... I have a small vapor blasting cabinet large enough to fit cases; absolutely love it... If you end up going the vapor blasting route just make sure you clean the cases of all thick dirt/grease/oil as the media doesn’t like to cut through that very easily... Also once you get them back clean them thoroughly the media loves to pack itself in tight crevices...
I need to invest in a vapor blasting set up. I plan to ride until I can’t anymore and I work on bikes a lot. 22 now and have been doing it non stop since I was 5. Probably wouldn’t be a bad investment.
1
seth505
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SD, CA US
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1271st
10/22/2019 6:37am
I've been doing scotchbrite pads on buffer wheel and on dremel tool because that is what I currently have access to. Works well.
pete24
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Marlborough, MA US
10/22/2019 8:16am
I media blast with aluminum oxide, I have a pressure regulator on my blast cab, so I turn it down till it just cleans the cases then I have them tumbled the tumbler and fluid leave a finish as good or better than stock and it lasts a long time, the cases, and all aluminum parts, here on the rite have just come back from tumbling


1
KVA_536
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Location
Alto, MI US
10/22/2019 8:24am
What size tumbler do you use? Model #?
1
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
10/26/2019 8:17am
Meant to post this sooner. Heres the cases im currently cleaning up.
1
Blackjack31
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Shelby, NC US
10/26/2019 9:28am
kb228 wrote:
Meant to post this sooner. Heres the cases im currently cleaning up. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/10/26/381432/s1200_D69EC83F_95DE_4CE6_9C44_8ABFEAACCE6A.jpg[/img]
Meant to post this sooner. Heres the cases im currently cleaning up.
That looks good man! Scotch brite?
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
10/26/2019 12:21pm
kb228 wrote:
Meant to post this sooner. Heres the cases im currently cleaning up. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/10/26/381432/s1200_D69EC83F_95DE_4CE6_9C44_8ABFEAACCE6A.jpg[/img]
Meant to post this sooner. Heres the cases im currently cleaning up.
That looks good man! Scotch brite?
Dremel with scotchbrite attachments

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