Engine paint woes

[GaryP]

Dear all

I looked at a nice 55 plate SV650S last night but the woman who owned it had tried to 'spruce up' the engine with a coat of black heatproof paint applied with a brush!

Oh dear.

Although the bike's cheap if I bought it I'd like to get this sorted. Aside from the obvious, anyone got any ideas for fixing this c0ck-up?

Gary P

[TamSV]

Did she paint the engine side covers? They would be the worst bits for hand painting.

I painted my engine like this last year and it looked good apart from the clutch-side engine cover. Because it's so flat it caught the light and showed up the brush strokes.

I took it off and removed all the old paint with Nitromors and wire wool, then repainted it with rattle cans - grey aluminium primer and gloss black. It looks spot on now.

If you wanted to repaint the entire block, and do it properly, then it's an engine out job. IMO if you have just the side covers sorted it would dramatically improve the overall appearance and you might not notice other imperfections in the finish (unless she's made a right hash of it).

[GaryP]

She's painted anything she can reach! Including the exhaust header in gloss black...

The whole block including the side covers has been painted and the brake disc centres. Basically, anything with any corrosion on she's painted and made a real hash of it.

It'd be fine if all I wanted was a cheap hack but that's not what I'm after. Take your point though about side covers improving things.

[BBadger]

If it has corrosion in easy to clean places then it clearly hasnt been that well looked after/ cleaned. And to get it looking good would take a fair bit of effort in all fairness.
id keep looking and the right bike will come up soon.

[GaryP]

Thanks. To be honest, the price was the attraction as it was quite cheap. However, it needs too much effort I reckon. The corrosion is because, despite a meticulous service record it was used all year round and kept outside out of necessity. And from previous experience I think it's fair to day that SVs have never had the best rep for quality of finish.

[Noddy]

I'd be inclined to agree with BBadger. Walk away, there seem to be plenty of very nice bikes available, Like you said if it was a hack/winter bike then maybe. Mines a 9 year old curvy, I'm currently going over it to get it up to a decent standard. It's amazing what you find when you get them out of the showroom. I feel like I've been shafted by the dealer, promising the earth and basically delivering nothing. You live and learn I suppose and at least when it's finished it will be personal to me.

Keep looking mate, the right one will come along very soon.

[GaryP]

Thanks guys. All advice appreciated.