I am currently restoring an RT3 and have just gotten the frame re-painted as it was a  rattle can silver before. I need to get the engine bored and I have the oversized piston and rings already but I am wondering what order of operation others have gone as the jugs and head are caked with black paint as well and I want to get back to the stock look. I am wondering first of all how to go about removing that paint and I'm guessing I should do that before I do the engine work. I am also wondering the order you guys usually go about re assembling the bike. 

Vapor blasting is a great way to get your head and cylinder clean also soda blasting is a close 2nd in my opinion 

Will the vapor blasting get the finish looking how it should or is there a deal of cleanup work to do after? I figure I’ll get it cosmetically good and then get the engine work done. Can’t decide if I’ll split the cases on it, leaning towards no as of now. Crank seems good. The next few things on the list is restoring the sprayed black wheels and forks. 

Vapor blasting will make it look new check out some YouTube videos to see

Vapor blasting does make that engine shine again from the pictures I’ve found. I got quoted $250 plus shipping at a place in Nebraska which is a little more than I was hoping for but I oh well it needs to get done. I’m going to probably get get the jug and head sent there and then send it to bill bune to get bored. The restoration is adding up quick $ 

I would think someone local could do it that sounds expensive to me. Do you have a air compressor? Could you post some pictures?

Yeah, I agree that seems pretty steep. I'll try and get a picture of the engine when I get home today. I live in SD so there isn't really anybody local who does that sort of stuff that I can find. I do have a compressor. I was thinking of bringing it to my machine shop in town and seeing if they would parts wash it. I know that takes the paint off a lot of the time.

You can buy aircraft stripper in a spray can or maybe larger quantity. Expensive but works pretty good. I have used red devil lye and water before on wood walls to remove old varnish. It’s cheap and effective. Maybe others will have an opinion on lye and I’ll post what I did and how I mixed it.

Yep, I found a place that will do it for $60 but I gotta get rid of most of the paint. I have a can of air craft paint stripper that I’ll use even though I hate the stuff.

Yea that price sounds reasonable