Should I have NOT painted my reed cages

[shybz800x]

I took on a 2002 XP limited rebuild and the reed cages were very badly rusted and pitted. I wire wheeled them and primed and painted them. I’m second guessing if paint was a good idea with them essentially mixing fuel and air. So should I strip the paint and go with no coating or should I try to do a DIY nickel electroplating process on them. The wire wheel basically removed all the factory coating, or maybe the paint is fine?
Thanks!

 

[etemplet]

I would not paint the big block. The reeds seal on that surface and paint and fuel don't get along very well.

 

[shybz800x]

I just had the cages painted but I put in gas and it bubbled right up. Going to take al the paint off and nickel or zinc e plate them. Any recommendations on zinc or nickel?

 

[mikidymac]

I honestly wouldn't bother.
If you have rusting and pitting I would be more worried about the crank and cylinder bores.
Please fog your 951's.....

 

[shybz800x]

I honestly wouldn't bother.
If you have rusting and pitting I would be more worried about the crank and cylinder bores.
Please fog your 951's.....

It’s a fresh rebuild. I’m putting it back together. I will 100% be fogging it when not in use

 

[Poormanracing]

The paint is gonna flake right off clean it.the pitting is on the reed stop don't worry about it the reeds barely ever hit the stops.it is there just incase and don't over extend.i would clean them run them and just fog them when not in use.

 

[shybz800x]

Thanks guys. I dropped the cages in fuel and overnight it all bubbled right off. So I took all the paint off and wire wheeled them bright clean again and will just run them as is. I like the fogging idea. It’s good practice to literally fog if it’s going to sit for a couple weeks?

 

[tobytd]

951s are prone to condensate…from moisture in the pipe..or wherever. For best results and longevity fog ‘em after EVERY ride.