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carb cleaner/soak best???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by theracedude, May 10, 2007.

  1. theracedude
    Joined: Dec 6, 2004
    Posts: 404

    theracedude
    Member

    i have tried napa carb cleaner $30/gal for 24 hr and advanced auto parts $10/gal for 24 hr. and dont care for eather one. napa was better but still not impressed. what do you use. i am not looking for a spray cleaner but a full rebuild soak cleaner. thanks
     
  2. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Berrymans good, if they still make it. Most of the new stuff is weak and basically useless
     
  3. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,558

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    I've got a seven gallon can of Zep carb cleaner that works well, but again, it's several years old. Probably all you can get now is "environmentally friendly" carb cleaner that works about as well as soaking it in water.
     
  4. Alienbaby17
    Joined: Sep 13, 2005
    Posts: 924

    Alienbaby17
    Member

    Just like they all said...
    About a year ago I rebuilt some carbs for my Dodge. I bought the Napa stuff because we have an account through them at the shop I work at. I too thought it worked at best ok.

    I think the problem with the newer stuff is that it has to be 'environmentally friendly.'

    Guy at the shop that used to work at an old Dodge dealership said they had the same 5 gallon container sitting there the whole 6 years he worked there- never got touched. One of his co-workers that had been there for 30 years said it was the same can they'd had since the early 70's when he started. Can't imagine all the old Mopar carbs that thing had seen.

    Guess that's the way to go if you can find some of the old stuff sounds like your best bet...or just be very patient with the newer chemicals and don't be afraid to scrub a bit with the toothbrush afterwards...

    Wrong Way
     

  5. dickster27
    Joined: Feb 28, 2004
    Posts: 3,209

    dickster27
    Member
    from Texas

    As far as a good cleaner you can just dunk and rinse, there are none I have found. But, after soaking your cab parts for a day or so in the cleaner, take them out and rinse with boiling water. Now, using Castrol "Super Clean" (the purple bottle) resoak your pieces for another 10 minutes in the bucket or whatever you use to rinse, ( I use an industrial sink) and you will be amazed at how dirty the runoff is, which means you are getting to the core of the junk in the carb pieces. Don't be afraid to take a brush and scrub the outer areas. Again rinse with boiling or at very least super hot water for about 2 minutes. Use compressed air to blow out all the moisture and any trapped debre, and you have it about as good as it can get. I have done thousands using this procedure and it does work.
    the Dickster
     
  6. strombergs97
    Joined: May 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,888

    strombergs97
    Member
    from California

    Hello All..today's cleaners are weak..Berrymans no longer makes the cleaner that burns your skin..Most of today's cleaners will work if you let them soak, rinse and soak again, again..What your doing is removing the build up little by little, that's why you soak and soak.
    I have found that after boiling( like Dickster said) use a brake cleaner in the pressurized can..It cleans really good and the plastic nozzle will fit in the tiny passages..Use, rinse and do it again..Also when done boil in Qxy clean and rinse....
    Duane..
     
  7. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Dont forget safety glasses if you're spraying around in there
     
    Truck64 likes this.
  8. Mr. Creosote
    Joined: Feb 27, 2006
    Posts: 275

    Mr. Creosote
    Member

    You mean Oxy Clean? The stuff the wife buys for the laundry? I never heard of using it. How much do you use and how long do you boil it for? I have two carb bodies I need to go through. I can set up the Colman stove in the garage. I dont think the wife will under stand why I'm making carburator soup in the kitchen.
     
  9. Moonglow2
    Joined: Feb 4, 2007
    Posts: 660

    Moonglow2
    Member

    A very good mechanic I used to use who specialized in carb rebuilds always used laquer thinner for his.
     
  10. Tin Can
    Joined: Nov 18, 2005
    Posts: 2,096

    Tin Can
    Member

    I used a gallon of kerosene in a 5 gal bucket. covered it with a rag and put a blow gun blowing a little air in it to agitate it and left it over nite. (the compressor wasnt on, I just let it run the tank out.) i found that this worked far better than any of the carb cleaners that i tried
     
  11. You can still buy the strong stuff. It's available as paint gun cleaner through your auto body jobber. I use Klean Strip. It comes in a 5 gal. bucket with a soaking basket inside. This product may not be for sale in some states like Ca. I've been using it for years,and does real well if you let it sit over nite. Temp does affect results, so I use a electric heater like the ones for the 5gal. body plastic cans, in the winter (I live in the N.E.). Just rinse with water and blow out with compressed air. Most aluminum comes out bright as new.
     
  12. strombergs97
    Joined: May 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,888

    strombergs97
    Member
    from California

    Hello. Oxy-Clean...yes..Couple of table spoons per gallon.. use it after the soaking in carb cleaner, and the brake cleaner is used. keep reboiling till all residue is gone. It works best when it's "At boil" ....You won't believe what comes to the top or settles on the bottom.. Then boil in clean water.
    Duane's' formula
     
  13. Just to re-visit this topic, last night I was rebuilding a carb that I soaked overnight in Chem-Dip from shitty Autozone, and it not only did NOT clean the carb nicely, it left this thick, sticky varnish residue. I pissed-offedly returned it to Autozone. So, now I'm back to square one. I have an old can of Mac's from NAPA, part number 6401, which they do not sell anymore. That stuff worked pretty nice, but I don't have much of it left after reusing it over and over again for 10+ years. Does anyone know where to get any of this? My local NAPA still lists it in their computer but says they can't get any, but they said maybe some stores still have it or can get it from their warehouse. So, if any of you happen to be swingin' into your local NAPA, check on it. If they have it, PM me, I'll pay someone to pick it up for me.
     
  14. haroldd1963
    Joined: Oct 15, 2007
    Posts: 1,154

    haroldd1963
    Member
    from Peru, IL

    I used to use the same stuff about 20 years ago on carbs. Also worked great for cleaning up cylinder heads. Would have to put the head in the can half way over night then switch it around the next day for another overnite soak. Took care of all the nasty carbon in the ports!
     
  15. Abomination
    Joined: Oct 5, 2006
    Posts: 6,719

    Abomination
    Member

    I used to LOVE that stuff - always burned the shit out of me... and it's a wonder I don't have f'n SKIN CANCER. :eek:

    Like THIS:
    http://www.ratical.org/radiation/CNR/PP/fig5.gif

    ~Jason


     
  16. Abomination
    Joined: Oct 5, 2006
    Posts: 6,719

    Abomination
    Member

    This works BAD ASS on lawnmower heads, by the way. :cool:

    ~Jason

     
  17. I checked with the local auto body supplier. They have Klean-Strip, but the guy said he would NEVER use it for carbs, because he said if it soaked in just a tiny bit too long, it would eat away at the passages and pit the aluminum. Is he exaggerating a bit? I figured a carb and a spray gun are made with pretty much the same materials (aluminum and brass) so why would a carb be any different?
     
  18. chopolds
    Joined: Oct 22, 2001
    Posts: 6,208

    chopolds
    Member
    from howell, nj
    1. Kustom Painters

    I think the "old" 5 gallon bucket I still have was called "Hydro-Seal". Man, that stuff works great! Don't know if you can still buy it, though.
     
  19. Robert gilbert
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 927

    Robert gilbert
    Member
    from boston

    I sand blast them
     
  20. I have been using this product for over 30 years for both carbs and spray guns. Motorcycle carbs too. Need to soak some carbs for 2-3 days sometimes. Never had any issues like that.
    If you would be more at ease, try it on a scrap carb first. You'll be impressed. Frank
     
  21. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,558

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY


    Hydro-seal was a Gunk product; I don't think it's currently available.
     
  22. I take them to the machine shop and have eddie put them in their hot tank they use to clean blocks and heads. Got to be in a wire basket with little holes.
     
  23. Lotek_Racing
    Joined: Sep 6, 2006
    Posts: 689

    Lotek_Racing
    Member

    I used to use this stuff from a company called Turco.

    It's called "transpo" and it's downright nasty. We used it in aviation to clean the passages in hydraulic prop governors. Worked great on carburetors too, just don't get it on your skin.

    It's a soak type cleaner just like the old carb cleaners.

    Heres the stuff: http://www.telfordindustries.com.au/products_03.asp?ProductID=219

    Shawn
     
  24. turdmagnet
    Joined: May 19, 2008
    Posts: 384

    turdmagnet
    Member

    Has anyone every used an ultrasonic cleaner ??? I've got access to one and have used it for cleaning small parts, but not sure if its safe for use on carbs or not. I've used it with straight water, various cleaning mixtures and even denatured alcohol with great success.

    Thanks
    TurdMagnet
     
  25. redd
    Joined: Aug 23, 2010
    Posts: 11

    redd
    Member
    from akron

    Yes The laquer Thinner works great. I read that Pine Sol has changed there formula in 2013 and now it will harm the carb casting

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  26. hotstuff1
    Joined: Mar 7, 2012
    Posts: 26

    hotstuff1
    Member

    ultrasonic cleaner works best
     
  27. redd
    Joined: Aug 23, 2010
    Posts: 11

    redd
    Member
    from akron

    You made a ultra sonic cleaner...Good Idea.

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  28. redd
    Joined: Aug 23, 2010
    Posts: 11

    redd
    Member
    from akron

    The link does not work. Were can you purchase this chemical ?

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  29. 3quarter32
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 498

    3quarter32
    Member

    I use antifreeze in a dedicated crock pot for 24 hours on medium. Rinse in warm water. Do not reuse the crock pot for food ever again. Not that any of you would.
     
  30. Jacksmith
    Joined: Sep 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,565

    Jacksmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Aridzona

    Hydro-Seal by GUNK was the best parts cleaner available back in the day. All the Harley shops and automotive machine shops had that glorious Hydro-Seal smell when you walked in the door! Alas, it worked too well and was taken off the market by the wretched environmentalists... If you can find some of the original formula, it's wicked expensive, but worth every penny!
     

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