OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Hello Everyone

I finally got around to cleaning the engine today, had been raining all week. I used a soda blaster to clean all the crud off the cylinder head, inside and out. Took about an hour and it was easy to remove the carbon deposits , but very difficult to remove the paint between the cooling fins.

I think soda blasting is gentle on the machined surfaces. But I may have to use a sand blaster to get all the dirt out between the fins. Tomorrow I am going to do the top of the piston and take the valves out and do them.

Does anyone know if you need to degrease the aluminum before priming and is lacquer thinners ok for cleaning? Also, should I apply a primer or not, as I am positive a heat proof paint is available that doesn't require primer, is that correct?

Pics of the prepared cylinder head, almost ready for paint. Might go with red or orange.