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Board index » Our legendary Kawasaki Triples » Restoring your old gal, all shiny like when she was new

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COOPS
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 1:56 am 

Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:11 pm
Posts: 464
Location: New Zealand
Bead blast, or vapour blast? for original look.
I'm thinking bead just now. Vapour is a bit shiny. Looks unnatural.
Opinions please
Cheers.
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RODH2
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:22 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:03 am
Posts: 4612
Location: Milang, South Australia
Plastic bead blast for me, it doesn't degrade the base material, just cleans it... like new!

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Stev-o
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 9:48 am 

Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 3:45 am
Posts: 802
Location: Cen Tex
I opted for bead and vapor for my H2.

The H1 only got beadblasted and that doesnt look good or original.

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Jim
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 9:57 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9999
Location: North Central NC
I have an original H2 engine here that's been indoors since I bought it as a spare in '80. Based on photos I've seen, vapor blasting may be the closest for the cylinder and head finish.

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COOPS
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:00 pm 

Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:11 pm
Posts: 464
Location: New Zealand
Ok thanks for the replys. Maybe I will vapour then
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1971Kaw500
PostPosted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:14 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:12 pm
Posts: 266
Location: Prescott, AZ
I did all of mine vapor and I'm very happy with the finish.
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nitrouscarl
PostPosted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 9:31 am 
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Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:07 pm
Posts: 1105
Location: Pollocksville, NC
Once they have been cleaned how do you preserve the natural finish ?
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Ja-Moo
PostPosted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:17 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:37 am
Posts: 10460
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Cases are die cast so they do have a "sheen" to them. The vapor blast finish is really close to the factory "look".

As for taking care of the finish, that breaks down to slowing the corrosion down as mush as possible. Which is just keeping water, salt water, and air away from the metal.

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Tim Steele
PostPosted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:49 am 
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Location: Front Royal, VA
I tell my customers carb cleaner and a good shop rag.

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COOPS
PostPosted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 1:20 am 

Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:11 pm
Posts: 464
Location: New Zealand
Ok so I had them vapour basted along with everything else (about 20 items) Very happy with the results. Most stuff came out quite shiny but he used the coarse media on heads and barrels and didn't overwork them. Came out like half way between bead and vapour.
Will take picks another day. Bloody mission navigating photobucket. Peevs me off. Is there another way of posting picks?
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