Topic: Painting Carbs

[iron_worker]

Hey guys,

I'm deep into my restoration project now and have been thinking about the carbs. I tore them down completely and polished them up with steel wool. They looked great for the first month or so and then the nature slowly takes over and of course they oxidized to a dull grey.

Since I'll be painting the engine in "cast aluminium" color I was thinking of ways to dress up the carbs that will stay looking good for a while. Has anyone ever painted a set of carbs? Obviously masking all the ports and such would be a huge pain in the butt but I think it is possible.

Any other ideas to keep them looking good? I'm going for a low maintenance daily driver that looks good without 6hrs of polishing every month.

Thanks,

IW

[Dream750]

I wonder how chrome powder coating would work out.

Got the idea while surfing eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-Honda-CB750-Four-carbs-carburetors-Complete-restoration-/330831275586?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d0714a642&vxp=mtr

[iron_worker]

That's pretty bling tastic! I don't think I would pick chrome for my bike but on some bikes it would look just right.

IW

[stereosilence]

The Hulk Carbs are the only ones I've seen on here.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88853.msg1202020#msg1202020

[iron_worker]

Another color choice I would not choose but proves that it can be done! lol

IW

[trueblue]

I painted mine black with polished tops.  Looks alright, I just masked up the bits I didn't want paint on after I cleaned them, and sprayed them with some engine enamel.  The paint gummed up the linkages a little, but once it dried I simply opperated the linkages a few times and they came good .

[mono]

you can paint the carb bodies, but i'd leave the bowls unpainted for obvious reasons.   the only negative thing i'd say about that is that when you have to pull them and take them apart, you'll need to be extra careful to not get gas on them... and since they are full of gas that's kinda hard.  also, not sure how carb cleaner interacts with paint - since it melts plastic, probably not well.  you can always repaint, but then you can always repolish too.  up to you, man. 

LOL - love the "hulk" carbs - make me chuckle every time i see that pic.

[trueblue]

I've had my carbs apart numerous times and had no issues with the paint wanting to part company.  I painted the bowls and bodies.  If memory serves me correct I just gave them a quick wash in prepsol then painted them.  I didn't go to too much effort.