Engine cleaning

[Biggles]

Hi all,
Question: - I want to clen the grime from betwee nthe fins of my adored Z1A.
I have seen the results from vapour clening during a total restoration, but my Z is unrestored 13k miler, so I am trying to achieve a new look without engine removal etc.
Has anyone tried those steam cleaning devices focussed through a nozzle, or have any other suggestions, obviously I have tried major elbow grease with brushes, polishes etc, but there remains deposits and grime.
cheers for help

[london calling]

A professional steam cleaner and some TFR (traffic film remover) should do the trick.
Any HGV company should have the kit you need if you've got any contacts.
Steady with the TFR as it's strong stuff

[Pigford]

As Jack says, go steady with any industrial jet cleaners & chemicals coz they can take paint of tank & frame quite easily
As usual with these things, you need to put extra effort for a better end job.

[Surfdeneige]

I had a no-hoper gs750 that was transformed with some 'gunk' poured into a spray bottle, a couple of paint brushes to work it in and a normal jet wash 10 mins later it was like new. ?5 for the 'gunk' 99p for the bottle and ?25 for the jet washer from b&q.

[floydsz1]

I tried cleaning the engine on my z1a with some hgv chassis cleaner we have at work, it certainly took all the crap etc of the engine but left the casings/barrels looking a bit to dark. the cleaner started to foam up. i only left it on for about 1 min and washed it of with my jetwash.it looks ok now but i spent ages polishing it with solvol. I wont be using it again, the gunk method sounds the safer bet.
Its made me make up my mind to strip the engine and get my smethurst to clean it for me over the winter.

[MaineKZ]

MrB
The best treatment I've found is to use an acid based cleaner like Ali Brite or any Ali Wheel cleaner. Wet the COLD motor down and apply with a paint brush to small areas at a time, work it in, let it 'fizz' for a short while then THOROUGHLY rinse off. DO NOT get it on your polished casings!!!
Like most chemcal treatments, this leaves the ali 'bare' so it will yield a white oxide if you don't protect it. I use Motorex spray.
That's the trouble with sandcast Ali - clean it once and you've got a job for life.
For that finishing touch, you can buff up the accessible parts of the barrels, head and crank halves using a fine grade fibral mop on an electric drill. This gives the impression that the whole motor's been vapoured (well, from a distance anyhow). Fibral mops are fab things - basically circular plastic scourers, impregrated with different grade of abrasive. Will cope with complex shapes and fit nicely between fins too. They're avail from Perfect Polishing - ads are in the classic glossies.
Here's how my old B came up...

[bedlow1]

I use "muck Off" and a cold water domestic jet washer as its very safe http://www.muc-off.com/bicyclemuc-off.html . I too witnessed a lovely original Z1A thet had been ruined by a industrial hot washer and chemicals, all the cases dulled off and went milky, the owner had a lot of work and elbow grease to make good