I'm sorry that this isnt Buick oriented but i would like some advice on re-painting metal. The metal is from a small engine. Gas tank, fan shroud, and recoil/pull starter. Should i use steel wool on it until the old paint comes off then spray paint it? Am i missing any steps? Any other things i can to so that the paint will last, shine and not fleck off? Also i have a chrome gas cap that has paint on it to, how can i restore it to "chrome-like" beauty? Thanks, any help or advice is appreciated. :TU:
Rob, I would use a chemical paint stripper.... Steel wool would take forever! Then wash and scrub with a mild soap solution to remove all traces or stripper. Dry thoroughly. Scuff the bare metal surface with a scotch-brite pad (or steel wool) just to roughen up the surface. This will help the paint to adhere. Wipe it all down with a solvent like laquer thinner, then prime and paint, following the instructions on the can. BTW, painting car parts is pretty much the same procedure!
I'd bead blast 'em first. I don't know how much painting of small parts you do, but paint sticks like crazy to a blasted surface..........I never dreamed how much use I would get out of my blasting cabinet until I finally broke down and made one. It took me a few months but it was well worth it. Problem is, you need at least a 5 hp compressor for sandblasting. I built mine myself b/c the store bought ones are flimsy. Check out the web for instructions to make a inexpensive one out of a plastic storage container. :bglasses:
Here are the before shots of the engines, which are pretty rough looking. The first does run, and i've only got $6 into two engines and thats for paint. :Brow:
Second was "locked up" when i got it but it just ended up that someone put the recoil bolts in to far which prevented the flywheel from turning. Go figure. This runs smooth too.
After some sanding, wire wheel, and steel wool on both recoils, shrouds, and gas tanks. The silve gas tank surpised me, alot more dents then i originally thought i saw.
The finished products. :bglasses: :Brow: Still need to re-paint the black aircleaner assembly. P.S. at low RPMs the 5.5 Honda sounds like a chopper, straight pipe/smoke stack. :Brow: Thanks Walt and Joe. :TU:
