Topic: want to clean up the orig. finish on my vintage Honda carbs.

[grcamna2]

Hi everybody  ,
I usually just spray carbs. out w/ Gumout and use it on the outside also.I have some carbs. that I want to clean up w/ a light toothbrush so that I keep as much of the orig. zinc? plating on them.They have a little tarnish on them but not any white alum. oxide corrosion,just that dull grey look.
I was reading a few posts from Harisuluv and he mentioned using Heavy Duty Simple Green to clean them;isn't that the blue colored stuff ?
I think if I use that stuff w/ a soft toothbrush it may possibly shine up the original zinc coating to bring back that factory look. Have any of you members used that?
What do you recommend ?    Thanks 

[flybox1]

There's nothing wrong with a little patina 
No cleaner will take them back to original look, but a few cleaners really do a good job cleaning.
Simple Green is one.
http://www.sears.com/sunshine-makers-2710000613014-simple-green-all-purpose-cleaner/p-SPM161888862?hlSellerId=3670&sid=IDx20110310x00001i&kpid=SPM161888862&kispla=SPM161888862&kpid=SPM161888862&mktRedirect=y

ZEP Industrial De-greaser is a good one as well.
Hydroblast or soda blast, will clean up the surface like new or better than new, but these remove the plating.
Pine Sol removes this plating as well.
Clean them up good with SG or ZEP, and call it good.  With both of these products, thoroughly rinse with water and dry well.
I usually mist with a little WD40 and then wipe down before they go back on the bike.

[grcamna2]

Flybox,
I'm going to do the Simple Green  I want to soak'em in some 50/50 mix w/ hot water for about an hr. first. harisuluv said not to use the 'Green' SG because it will discolor the aluminum but rather that blue SG. Did you ever use either the blue or green Simple Green to clean your carbs. ?

[754]

I saw one the other day that was iridescent clean. The guy soaked it in combustion chamber cleaner, and washed it in (something) purple.

[flybox1]

Ive used only the green but never for longer than a dunk-n-scrub.  Didnt notice any discoloration.  Probably because of the short duration.
Once I didnt rinse well enough and an old set of PD's got the white corrosion bumps.
harisuluv must be talking about this...
http://simplegreen.com/products/extreme-motorsports-cleaner-degreaser/

[grcamna2]

Ive used only the green but never for longer than a dunk-n-scrub.  Didnt notice any discoloration.  Probably because of the short duration.
Once I didnt rinse well enough and an old set of PD's got the white corrosion bumps.
harisuluv must be talking about this...
http://simplegreen.com/products/extreme-motorsports-cleaner-degreaser/

Harisuluv called it Simple Green Heavy Duty & I asked him if it was blue and he said it was.

[grcamna2]

I saw one the other day that was iridescent clean. The guy soaked it in combustion chamber cleaner, and washed it in (something) purple.

were they like 'glowing purple'    754 ?    

[grcamna2]

I've got mine soaking in a hot 7:1 purple Simple Green 'All Purpose Fresh Scent' solution right now        I'll keep'em in there for an hr... and then start cleaning parts.

[754]

It was the cleanest carb, i ever saw..

[grcamna2]

It was the cleanest carb, i ever saw..

Clean carbs and a clean fuel tank AND a good solid ignition is tough to beat