Is there a way to lighten up the metal, more like when carbs are new, like a dip or something? I know Scotch-Brite pads or pumice stone or bead blasting will clean them up but I am not after a polished look, just a lighter metal color. A local plating shop said that he thought that magnesium is used in the aluminum and chemical dips don't work.
You thinking of soda blasting? As in baking soda: http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/ (http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/)
I like it over sand blasting because you can rinse with water and not worry about any sand entering your engine.
Quote from: Dads_FJ on March 07, 2012, 03:22:24 PM
You thinking of soda blasting? As in baking soda: http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/ (http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/)
I like it over sand blasting because you can rinse with water and not worry about any sand entering your engine.
Wow, looks like a nice idea!
But I guess I would think twice before using it on any carb insides... :unknown:
If the carb have turn a dark grey the wrong cleaner was used. The soda blast method is about the only way to get them back to the original look. I have rebuild many sets for members of this forum and when they get them back they always comment, they look like new.
I cannot do anything about the gold coating on the steel parts, but when cleaning the correct cleaner the carbs look like brand new.
I would recommend a full disassembly before soda blasting and then having them ultrasonic cleaned to ensure the soda has all been removed.
Here is a set of carbs I have just cleaned compared to a set that were on a customers car when he brought it in. I took this photo to document the poor filtering quality of the K&N air filter.
(http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc517/racerrad8/RichardCarbs1107004.jpg)
Randy -RPM
Randy, what is the correct cleaner for an ultrasonic cleaner with carbs?
It must be for non-ferrous metals. The cleaner I use was specifically listed for aluminum and coated metals, i.e. the anodized covers. It does not work very good on ferrous items.
I runs a little more than $60.00 a gallon and lasts me about a year.
Randy - RPM
there was a guy on a forum here in the uk that used cillit bang household cleaner (you get it there?) to clean up his carbs
the before and after was amazing
I've tried to find a link to show but cannot remember the url
:)
Quote from: ally on March 08, 2012, 04:01:28 AM
there was a guy on a forum here in the uk that used cillit bang household cleaner (you get it there?) to clean up his carbs
the before and after was amazing
I've tried to find a link to show but cannot remember the url
:)
Its called "easy-off BAM" in Australia, USA and Canada.
Harvy
I have only cleaned the float bowl housings, not the carb body yet, so I listed that wrong but carb body's
can still be done correctly. Ok, I used the boiling hot water with some Oxi-Clean, so I would not recommend that method. I got that info. off this site somewhere and wanted to try it because it was the most non-toxic approach.