Paint stripping tips

[trex014]

I am slowly progressing in restoring 3 RDEL-16’S and 3 RDEL-17’s and my next step is to strip the paint off all of them and I have a couple of questions.

1. I plan on using a soda blaster, how do I clean the surface after blasting so no soda is left?

2. Should I cover all the openings of the powerhead very very well? I was thinking of making an aluminum plate to cover the powerhead base and carburetor opening and using the old gaskets to seal since they will be replaced anyways.

3. I know sand blasting is bad for aluminum but are there any better options than soda? I know soda works but it is cheapest near me and wonder if paying a little more for nut shells would give better results.

As always, I appreciate the help and here’s a few pictures of my RDEL-16s, the one with the covers still on is going to be left original and cleaned thoroughly.

• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by trex014.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by Mumbles.

[Bob Wight]

1. After blasting, I typically wash thoroughly with warm water and Dawn dish wash soap, followed by a thorough water rinse. Before painting, I then thoroughly clean all surfaces with acetone or spray gun cleaner.

2. I usually just hand clean the powerhead as I don’t want to risk getting blast media inside the engine. I suppose putting a piece of plate material and a gasket over the base and carb openings would work.

3. I’ve used both soda and glass bead for blasting but walnut shells also work very well.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[trex014]

Bobw how do you clean the powerhead by hand? Do you mean just clean it and not strip it?

[Bob Wight]

I first clean the powerhead with a degreaser, then go over the whole thing with small wire wheels in a dremel tool to remove any loose paint. Then do a thorough clean with aerosol brake cleaner. The aerosol spray works well at getting into all the small nooks and crevices for a final clean. Somewhat tedious work with the dremel tool but it works for me.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[billw]

Why is sand blasting bad for aluminum? This is something I didn’t know.

Awhile ago, I had an ’88 15 Johnson power head that was really badly corroded from a mouse nest. I made block off plates out of 3/4″ King Starboard, the white plastic material , for the carb inlet, base gasket area, etc., to keep out the sand. It is easy to machine and you then get to keep it for the next time…..

Long live American manufacturing!

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by billw.

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

“sand” blasting is bad as the sand destroys the base material. I have used walnut shells for years, tried glass bead once. If you used too high of air pressure you will break the glass beads, and then them little slivers get in places you do not want them..and then you will ruin a good part….soda….just seems to not have enough mass but it does the job…

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[Author]

Posts