I'm in the process of tearing down and cleaning and rebuilding a Ryobi 31cc gas engine.
I was wondering what I should use to clean the parts.
I'm thinking about polishing the crankcase with rubbing compound and painting the cylinder head.
Is there something that I shouldn't use to clean it?
I don't want to use something that might react with the aluminum and cause a structure failure.
What kind of paint can I use to paint the cylinder head?
Will any high temp engine paint work?
Will painting the cylinder head cause the engine to run noticeably hotter?
Sorry for so many questions.
I just don't want to ruin my engine.

thanks
dc

Cleaning can be done with a parts washer or simple carb or brake cleaner. Painting the cylinder will or could cause it to run hotter. I bead blast my engines, helps smooth out the look and texture of the engine. Polishing it would look nice but you would want to clear it or else it will not hold the polished look.

Deadcell. If you have an air compressor. Harbor Freight has a sand blaster for 20.00 bucks.
I got a really nice light gray bead finish using fine sand. It is the way to go.

Abrasive blasting will leave a nice finish on your aluminum parts.
It will also get into everything and everywhere you may not want it.
Be sure to surgically clean everything exposed to this process as,
any hidden grit may find it’s way into your bearings and cylinder bore.

just a thought I have a 25 hommie that I polished about 3 years ago with no clear (expecting it to tarnish) and it still looks great just my 2 cents but it is well worth the investment in time. I sanded with 2000 grit paper that polished with mothers aluminum polish, just keep it clean and reaply the mothers you should be fine

The is lots of cooling done at the micro level. Polishing things or painting things fills in the micro pores in the casting and reduced the area available for cooling. Sand blasting (or whatever blasting) helps the cooling

Yep...

AV8TOR