Sorry, MM,

I wish I could help. It looks almost like powdercoating to me. But I  suspect it would melt off if it were. I also think if it IS heavy paint, then it does act as a bit of an insulator.

I'd like to know what the coating is so I could put it back on...or even change colors!

Since you are possibly stripping yours, I would suggest a dab of oven cleaner on an inconspicuous spot, or even a tear-down and carb cleaner soak.

I've seen very small, temporary media-blast boxes made from 1/4" plywood and glass/Plexi covers with cheesy "blast guns" all the way down to one end of a clear, soft tube stuck in a box of baking soda and the other end stabbed onto a blowgun nozzle. The target piece then gets hit in the open air, and the "spent media" left to rinse off the part and work space with a garden hose.
Look up "motorcycle carb soda blast" for examples.


I once did my TR6 wheels with a 50 lb of Black Beauty and a Tarp backdrop on the side of my shed. The spent media was recovered for more wheel work, and whatever I lost in the grass, well, grew grass.

Take it apart and put CC & head in a jar of acetone for day or two. Remove and brush as much paint as you can get off.

I use an acid brush  with the  bristles cut to 1/4" for stiffness. I also use a bamboo skewer sharpened on one end and flattened on the other for those pesky small areas of paint. (Mostly on the head)

I also use a crock pot (on low) with 50/50 solution of Prestone anti freeze/water, anywhere from an hour to a day.  Remove and place in acetone brushing with the acid brush.

Good luck, Jerry

PS: NO OPEN FLAMES!

Hello
I'm sure Ebay sellers do not like that blue paint as it sort of gives away how much running an engines had or if it has been overheated and the paint looks awrful when its dis-colored and scratched up. Personally I like the painted look when new and like anodized or painted heads but it does put you off using them.
Once stripped of paint I would not advise polishing an engine for a shinny finish as it seems to make them run hotter again,  besides different blasted finishes can be achieved with different blast media and can they can cleaned up again easily.

Regards Gerald