Have a couple old Holley's that are stained from years of gas. What's the best way to get the stains off and get them looking new again? I tried the search function and didn't have any luck. Thanks in advance. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
To get them looking new again, other than linkage pieces, when rebuilding after the pieces are spotless clean i dunk them in alodine. That isn't the exact holley finish, but it is pretty close.
Soda blast. Get one of the cheap "Speed blaster" style hopper fed guns and fill it with baking soda. Amazing what it can do, better than new even on 80 year old carbs. You can also make a quick & dirty setup with a piece of clear tubing and an air blow gun.
Or....some spray carb cleaner, and a stiff toothbrush,..if the stains aren't too soaked into the metal 4TTRUK
I spray generously with Kroil and scrub with a plastic brush, spray again and let it sit overnight, spray again and wipe. Stains get a gentle scrub with grey scotchbrite and Kroil or br*** brush and Kroil.
I made a $2.00 soda blaster and blasted some motorcycle carbs that had been in storage for many years,they came out like new. I also blasted a cruddy edelbrock with excellent results. I buy my soda at the feed store(farm store)
i need to look into a soda blaster. wife is getting tired of the taste of carb cleaner on her tooth brush...jack
thought about rinsing her brush a little better and getting her stronger tasting toothpaste. i only have a couple of carbs left to do...jack
Do NOT gl*** bead your carb. You will never get it out of all the little nooks & crannies... Soda blast is best ..rinses clean with tap water. Blow it dry with clean air & re***emble. Dave Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Yes, if all you want to do is de-grime the carb, then carb cleaner and a soft brush should be fine. I like mine to look new though (which is what the OP asked about) so I gl*** bead blast them, been doing it for 20 years, never had an issue with getting all the gl*** out. I completely dis***emble them prior to blasting, then wash them with a degreaser and hot water flush, followed by a high pressure air dry. This works for me.
I've used PineSol (yes he said PineSol) It's an old motorcycle carb cleaning tip. The nice thing is the PineSol does not hurt any of the plastic, rubber, br***, aluminum, or the needle seats. Here's a link: http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/917696-carb-cleaning-with-pine-sol-linkpics/
What about the B-12 chem dip I've used it on motorcycle carbs forever and they clean up well!!! Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I just soaked my nasty looking Roch B in Napa carb cleaner, used an old tooth brush. Blew it all ot and used Eastwood Carb paint. Its totally expensive. Like $20 for a 10 oz can, but it looks great.
before after...Well used gl*** beads that are practically reduced to a powder. Then a dunk in Alodine
How "like new" do you want to make them? 80 year old carbs have probably been rebuilt a couple of times. The original coating/plating has probably been compromised. You can do this in steps so you don't get into overkill and do more harm than good. Soak overnight in a good carb cleaner such as Beryman's chem dip-comes in a gallon can with a neat basket to hold the parts. Make a cleaning brush from a 1 inch paint brush. Cut the bristles shorter until you get a semi stiff brush. Rinse off the carb cleaner with water and the brush. Then scrub the parts with hot soapy (laundry detergent) water using the brush. If your happy, your done. If not, soak the carb in CLR cleaner overnight ( buy at super market or hardware store) scrub in hot soapy water with the brush. Still not happy? Soak in vinegar. Check the vinegar soak every hour, (it's aggressive) Scrub in hot soapy water. After this, the carb will be clean, but may have a disappointing mottled gray finish due to age and previous cleanings. Check your Eastwood catalog for spray cans of carb refinishers. The old plating processes are all but gone due to the EPA. You probably can't get your carb to look "like new", but you can get something that looks good.
Jack Orchard,.... Run her toothbrush thru a dishwasher cycle............ The detergent should have a better aftertaste than carb cleaner,............ 4TTRUK
Chem Dip is a super product,....haven't seen it available here in Calif in a LONG time....... Anyone know where to get it ? Sure was a handy product, came with a parts basket, and did a super job. 4TTRUK
The alodine treatment sounds interesting. have 6 carbs that I want to get looking somewhat the same. A quick search didn't find any for sale online, anyone know where it's avaible?
I use an ultrasonic cleaner designed for a dental office (it is bigger than a jewelers model) . I put the parts in a solution of water and awwsome cleaner and let it buzz away. You can see the grit and grime come off in the solution. These were all gummed up ugly cores that went through it...
Most of the cleaning methods mentioned in this thread will destroy the original finish. I would highly suggest looking at this link on carburetor finishes: http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Carburetorfinishes.htm If one has access, a decent job of cleaning can generally be accomplished by the use of an ultrasonic cleaner, heat, and a decent anti-grease dishwasher cleaner (we used Dawn). To reiterate an important point from the article in the link: CARBURETORS MOSTLY ARE FINISHED FOR PROTECTION, NOT FOR PRETTY. DESTROY THE PROTECTION AND EVENTUALLY THE CARBURETOR WILL FAIL! And this post is not an attempt to "grind an ax"; The Carburetor Shop is no longer accepting carburetors for rebuilding. Jon.
Here's what I got. Dis***embled, scrubbed in the parts washer, blasted them, washed, washed, ans washed again. Still have to do a final cleaning to get the smudges off then gonna hit them with a little clear. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
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