Cleaning carb bodies

[Guest]

While I've got the carbs off for the rebuild/clean, I might as well make 'em shine, right?

Any suggestions? How about just some engine bright?

[Jethro]

Did you dip them? I dipped my 81 1100E carbs and man, they look like they were just pulled out of the casting!

[jsuani]

cleaning carb bodies...

hey there,
I use purple power cleaner from walmart and some elbow grease with an assortment of brushes from harbor freight tools. I soaked the carbs after stripping them down to nothing. When I do carbs I have all the information available before I get into them. I strip , seperate and label, the soak and soak. I then spray off all items or wipe off or even put air to it to clear out all cracks and crevices. Oh make sure you have the proper new parts to replace the old. Now painting the carbs is not my thang. I like to chrome the caps and some parts. Just make sure you go with the right person to chrome your stuff. Painting is an option but I have never did that so I cannot give you advice on it. Also put it back together and set it up right for the bike you got.
Keep clean and done right and covered. If you need more on engine clean and paint. I took mine to a machine shop and they steamed it for me and I got it back and covered and painted it then myself. Look up some info. on car engine rebuilds is where I got most of my bike engine prep info. from.

[UncleMike]

Yeah, I dipped 'em for about half an hour, but there's still some crud on the outside.

Just wondering if any cleaner I would use would hurt them at all. I'm reluctant to make any stupid mistakes.

[blackwolf]

While I've got the carbs off for the rebuild/clean, I might as well make 'em shine, right?

Any suggestions? How about just some engine bright?

get a fine wire wheel brush that fits a drill and have fun

[UncleMike]

get a fine wire wheel brush that fits a drill and have fun

See? This just proves my ignorance. I would have never had thought to use something so harsh for fear of damage.

[Hoomgar]

Here is what I used and the results. No additional cleaning was needed and these bad boys were dirty!

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=80799

[UncleMike]

That's what I'm using actually. I bought it after reading that thread a while back!

How long did you dip for? The can says 20mins, but Earl and I were thinking 24hours.

[J_C]

I dipped my bodies for around 2 or three hours. Then I rinsed them quickly and went at them with a medium-softish scrub brush. The dip loosened up the dirt and then I was able to get it completely clean. Here's a pic of the results...

[UncleMike]

Man, you guys all had some dirty carbs. Mine looked pretty much like yours when clean before I dipped 'em.

I just want 'em to sparkle!

[J_C]

Show off :-D You know what really works pretty well is polishing the diaphragm covers and float bowls. The diaphragm covers shine up very nicely. Float bowls take more time.

Be careful of wire brushes as they may scratch the aluminum (especially on the diaphragm covers)

[renobruce]

Show off :-D You know what really works pretty well is polishing the diaphragm covers and float bowls. The diaphragm covers shine up very nicely. Float bowls take more time.

Be careful of wire brushes as they may scratch the aluminum (especially on the diaphragm covers)

Agreed... mine on my 1000 were filthy. I pre-cleaned them with Simple Green and a toothbrush, then dipped them for about 6 hrs. Then I polished the bowls and tops. They turned out great!

[J_C]

Wow, yours turned out incredible!! That's what I was hoping for but didn't quite reach. My bowls arent even close to yours. Mind sharing the method? I was steel wool and then rubbing compound followed by a myriad of applications of mothers mag polish and a 3" cloth wheel

[renobruce]

Wow, yours turned out incredible!! That's what I was hoping for but didn't quite reach. My bowls arent even close to yours. Mind sharing the method? I was steel wool and then rubbing compound followed by a myriad of applications of mothers mag polish and a 3" cloth wheel

I used sandpaper on mine. Started with 400 grit, then 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000. Sand them under a running faucet. Then I polished with Mother's.

[J_C]

Cool thanks! Time for me to replenish my wet sand supplies!!

Is this the same method you used for polishing the cases?