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Cleaning carb bodies

  • Thread starter Thread starter UncleMike
  • Start date Start date
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UncleMike

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

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.
 
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.
 
UncleMike said:
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?
Click to expand...
get a fine wire wheel brush that fits a drill and have fun
 
blackwolf said:
get a fine wire wheel brush that fits a drill and have fun
Click to expand...

See? This just proves my ignorance. I would have never had thought to use something so harsh for fear of damage.
 
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.
 
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...
 
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!
 
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)
 
J_C said:
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)
Click to expand...

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!

100_0640.jpg



100_1655.jpg
 
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
 
J_C said:
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
Click to expand...

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

Is this the same method you used for polishing the cases?
 
Last edited:
J_C said:
Cool thanks! Time for me to replenish my wet sand supplies!!

Is this the same method you used for polishing the cases?
Click to expand...

Yep, same process. Except I used a buffer on a drill for the large pieces.
 
UncleMike said:
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.
Click to expand...

I let each of mine down for at least 2 hours. Some for over 7. No worries. And they came out perfect! Clean as they can get. And they still look good! Want to finish it off? Hit them with a little S100. They will look brand new. No scrubbing required at all whatsoever.
 
UncleMike said:
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!
Click to expand...

Use a good carb cleaner on them after you dip them and let them dry, then hit them with some S100 if you need more. You cannot get them any cleaner than this will get them. It takes them down to bare clean metal.
 
renobruce said:
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.
Click to expand...

They look better than new!
 
The S100 engine brightener? I was thinking of using that, are we talking about the same product?
 
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