Paint stripping

[peters3103]

Hi gents,
I need to strip the paint from my cylinder head to repaint. Engine is out of the car but head is on the engine. Can I use paint stripper (being careful of cam covers etc) then pressure wash? I will repaint (by brush) then replace spark plugs and head nuts & washers one by one.

Cheers
Pete

[abowie]

Really strong alkali will dull/mark aluminium so yes keep it off the cam covers and also any other raw aluminium surfaces. I guess if you use a paintbrush to put it on carefully it should be ok.

Maybe use a little brass wire brush in a drill or something?

Pressure washer should be fine as long as you keep water out places it shouldn't go.

[peters3103]

I’ll mask and plastic wrap the whole engine except the area that requires stripping.

[Thor]

Power washing paint stripper is not a good idea it will end up everywhere.go with the wire brush in a reversible drill.Will work fine.

[peters3103]

Ended up masking up and covering engine in plastic. Hit it with wire brush on drill first followed by paint stripper and then gurney. Had engine on angle to assist drainage. Residual cleaned off with steel wool. Ready for etch primer then paint.