Topic: Blasting Carb Bodies? Who did this?

[Burke]

Awhile back someone posted thier newly cleaned carb bodies and they looked great.
They had said they used soda to clean them, and I cant remember what they said they used to "blast" the soda with. I don't think it was "Soda Blaster" but I want to say they did it with an air brush.
Anyone remember, or the thread?

 

[MRieck]

I think they meant they were blasted with baking soda.

[Jim F]

I use very fine glass beads and they look better than new (about as fine as soda powder)

Jim

[cafebob]

i have used glass beads too.  They look almost brand new.  30$ at a good media blasting shop.  Do not use sand.


bob

[GoatBaSS]

Not to knock the blasting, I do have to say an ultrasonic cleaner is the best clean I have seen. But I have access to one and the blast cabinet eludes me.

[BobbyR]

Not to knock the blasting, I do have to say an ultrasonic cleaner is the best clean I have seen. But I have access to one and the blast cabinet eludes me.

Well ultrasound allows the solvent to get into places no solid media can. So for appearance an abrasive media is great, for restoring function ultra would be the choice. 

[Burke]

What type of solution do you use in a Ultrasonic Cleaner?

[Steve F]

If they were my carbs, I'd shy away from blasting with any kind of abrasive, and that includes glass beads.  I agree that the resulting finish isn't something I would consider to be "original" as it seems kinda rough when done that way.  I may consider using finely crushed walnut shell or the soda blasting over any abrasive.  The ultrasonic cleaning may be necessary after any blasting treatment to remove ALL contamination in the passages and such.  One down side of ultrasonics, is that you have to choose very carefully what kind of solution to dunk them in as these solutions tend to discolor die-cast zinc.  On a safety note, my ultrasonic machine manufacturer cautions against using flammable solvents as a cleaning solution.  Whatever you decide to do, post some pics!

[Terry in Australia]

I glass-bead blasted mine and they look magnificent, then I rebuilt them with new carb kits, but, I've blocked some air passages and when I tried them out I couldn't get the engine to rev past 4000 RPM. Poo. 

[BobbyR]

I glass-bead blasted mine and they look magnificent, then I rebuilt them with new carb kits, but, I've blocked some air passages and when I tried them out I couldn't get the engine to rev past 4000 RPM. Poo. 

You forgot to flush them out with some warm UK beer. 

[Tim.]

Lets see some pics Terry!  I'm considering doing something to my Mikuni VM36's.  Would like them to look as good as I hope they'll perform on the 650.

[Terry in Australia]

I glass-bead blasted mine and they look magnificent, then I rebuilt them with new carb kits, but, I've blocked some air passages and when I tried them out I couldn't get the engine to rev past 4000 RPM. Poo. 

You forgot to flush them out with some warm UK beer. 

Now that might just work Bobby, I could put them in a sealed container full of warm UK beer and agitate them for awhile, and when I hear them throwing up, I'll know they're done! Thanks mate!  

[Terry in Australia]

Lets see some pics Terry!  I'm considering doing something to my Mikuni VM36's.  Would like them to look as good as I hope they'll perform on the 650.

No worries Tinny, I'll post a couple when I get home from work!

[Tim.]

And I'll reciprocate with pics of the XS650 tank/sidecovers etc.  Sorry it's been a while.  Wife got pulled in for jury duty of all things.  She finished today thankfully.

[GoatBaSS]

What type of solution do you use in a Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Simple Green and water. The jewelry cleaner I had access to is not strong enough, nor should it be. There is heat generated also and that is a great aid in the cleaning process.
Steve F  is right on the discolor if you leave them in to long. I had one set that I left in for a while and the look on the outside was bad, still, clean on the inside. I would not leave anything in for more than 20 min. It is more than enough time to get the clean on.

[Terry in Australia]

Here you go Tinny.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Does the use of Arm and Hammer baking soda require the use of a special gun/cabinet/nozzle? A 12lb bag sure is cheap.

[The Mayor]

Bead-blasting mine; but it's what to do after I'm wondering about now.
I've read that these bodies ('73 350F) aren't aluminum, but a zinc allow?

Is it ok to rinse them with water or should i use some other solution? And has anyone coated the the bodies successfully after?
I'd hate to go through all this just for the finish to get messed up after...

[flybox1]

Bead-blasting mine; but it's what to do after I'm wondering about now.
I've read that these bodies ('73 350F) aren't aluminum, but a zinc allow?

Is it ok to rinse them with water or should i use some other solution? And has anyone coated the the bodies successfully after?
I'd hate to go through all this just for the finish to get messed up after...

a 3+ year old thread.   
for sure you'll want to get every single bead out from all the hiding places.
you might also want to re-clear coat the bowls and slide caps or they'll oxid.
i'd take the time to polish them up really well before clear tho.

[The Mayor]

Yeah, I figured I'd keep it to an old thread instead of starting a new one.
Wouldn't polishing the bodies be a PITA? I did one, came out looking like new on the outside. I plan to polish the bowls and caps and such after, but the bodies themselves I figured better left alone. Would the clear hold up to the gas I'm sure will make it's way around eventually?

[flybox1]

i meant to clear the bowls and caps. 
you'd need to get a good gas resistant clear coat

[cobra2411]

DIY soda blaster...

http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

I haven't used it yet but I plan to. I've heard it can be a little clunky but it works good and for $5 in parts I'll deal with it being a little clunky.

[MCRider]

Awhile back someone posted their newly cleaned carb bodies and they looked great.
They had said they used soda to clean them, and I cant remember what they said they used to "blast" the soda with. I don't think it was "Soda Blaster" but I want to say they did it with an air brush.
Anyone remember, or the thread?

That was me. Can't remember if it was in my build thread (I'm sure it was) but I may have run a separate thread on it also. Really worked great. Freshenned up the carb bodies, I did not disassemble them. I did take the float bowls off and blasted the 12 yr old varnish out in a split second. Blasted all the jets and reassembled.

I used a 15lb soda blaster from harbor Freight, with their soda. My understanding is it is little removed from baking soda. 100psi on the hands just barely stings, though I always use the least amount of pressure to get the job done, more like 60psi. No damage to anything that i can tell, though I'm not running yet.

Washed everything in water afterwards in my utility sink as the soda dissolves in water. A little compressed air and all done.
PS: Yikes the original post was Dec 2007! So that wasn't me, I did mine in spring 2010 I think. All the rest is real though.

[Terry in Australia]

Don't bead blast your carbs like I did (in the pics above) soda blast them. The beads will get into all your air passages and are impossible to remove, without drilling out the pressed in air jets at the rear of the carbs, and somehow finding replacements.

The carbs in the pics above made my bike run like crap and I couldn't work out what was wrong until Hondaman stepped in and told me what I'd done. Botttom line is that soda just dissolves in water, the glass bead method will ruin your carbs. Cheers, Terry.

[Accolay]

That bit about the cheap soda blaster is in the Carb FAQ. Just sayin'