Topic: powdercoating carbs

[millerza]

Does anyone forsee problems powdercoating 78k carbs. Stripped down of coarse. O-rings removed. Will check valves be OK??  Im kinda worried about temps/between the brass and alum. Looking at 400degF, maybe 450degF for degassing. Anyone have any thoughts. Going with an aluminum color.

[bollingball]

On the PD42b you have a plastic part on the acc. pump check valve. I would be concerned with all the little holes

[gmonkey]

You're powder coating aluminum carbs in aluminum color?

[millerza]

yea the check valve is worrying me.
whats wrong with that color? dont have to worry bout tarnish

[gmonkey]

Can you polish and clearcoat them?  Wouldn't have to worry about temperatures and probably a lot cheaper.

[flybox1]

Can you polish and clearcoat them?  Wouldn't have to worry about temperatures and probably a lot cheaper.

+1
the old clear will come off with carb cleaner and some elbow grease. (dont use steel wool)
Buff.  clear.  done.
on the cheap and in 1 day.

[angeldeville]

Potmetal bodies and baked on electrostatic powder, are a bad idea, too many precision orfices to get plugged up.

[millerza]

I could. But this is what I want. Id just as soon paint as I would polish and clear. This color is duller/darker than polished alum.  Im not wanting flashy(chrome) look, just tough coating with good looks.    I think the check valve is the only problem, and I can leave that part for paint or just polish. Ill have one carb done at a time, and check results.

Throat/orfices will be well covered/prepped. holes plugged. (The carbs will be assymbled when coated). Just no gaskets/parts inside. Fewer orfices to cover

[angeldeville]

Potmetal doesn't polish, unfortunately this is one spot on our beloved bikes that can't be prettied up, although you can chrom plate a few parts and make em look ok.

[DavePhipps]

I  thought carbs were aluminum. What is potmetal?

[Bob Wessner]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

[gmonkey]

There's a small nylon "nub" that guides the throttle valve and keeps it from rotating.  Don't know if that would like the temps either.  or is that what bollingball is talking about?

If you want dark aluminum, soaking them in simple green makes the carb bodies darker.  I'll try to get a picture of mine when I get home, maybe you'll like it.

[flybox1]

What is potmetal?

Listen to Black Sabbath - Master of Reality!!!  

[DavePhipps]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

Just read that  after asking. It still doesn't answer the question about the carbs being aluminum or not. I'm about to  use acid on my carb that  doesn't effect aluminum but will dissolve other metals. So, I'd hate to see my carb dissolve.

[gmonkey]

Just read that  after asking. It still doesn't answer the question about the carbs being aluminum or not. I'm about to  use acid on my carb that  doesn't effect aluminum but will dissolve other metals. So, I'd hate to see my carb dissolve.

I'm pretty sure they're aluminum.  He wants a different color and surface properties.  Would you want to test that acid on some rough part of the carb body anyway?

[DavePhipps]

Good point. Sorry, I'm so tired I can barely think straight.

[MCRider]

I'd show them to my powder coat guy. If they're any good they'll tell you.

[rachet]

I'd show them to my powder coat guy. If they're any good they'll tell you.

+1

And I'm curious because I would like to Powder coat the carbs some other color, like Black.  If Powder coating is a bad idea, what about chroming?

No high temps, but obviously it would be in every orifice of the carb.

Thoughts?

[markb]

No high temps, but obviously it would be in every orifice of the carb.

Not sure but don't electroplating processes stay out of holes unless there is an anode in it?

[rachet]

No high temps, but obviously it would be in every orifice of the carb.

Not sure but don't electroplating processes stay out of holes unless there is an anode in it?

That's what she said!!!

Sorry, I work in an office and that's still funny around here.

Seriously though, that's a great question.  I might look into that.

[millerza]

There's a small nylon "nub" that guides the throttle valve and keeps it from rotating.  Don't know if that would like the temps either.  or is that what bollingball is talking about?

not sure what youre talking about? slides are out of carbs

bollingballs talking accelerator pump

[gmonkey]

not sure what youre talking about? slides are out of carbs

bollingballs talking accelerator pump

Unless 78 carbs are significantly different than the early ones, if you look down the round bore in the top of the carb body where the throttle slide travels, on one side there will be a small plastic bit sticking out.  There's what looks like a rivet on the outside that holds it in place but you can see plastic in the center.  There should be a a slit down the throttle slide that this guide goes into.

[MADCB400F]

One more suggestion would be find some one with a soda blaster and medium grit soda,  it makes them look new after they have been blasted, or buy one for a multitude of uses later down the road if you already have a compressor.

[millerza]

so I dont see anything nylon in here

[millerza]

so there is plastic under this brass square?

is there a check valve here? any plastic?

fyi pic   the carb as i plan to coat it, before plugging holes and throat
those allens where a mistake(rust) got kit from stainlesscycles