Vapour Blasting a Carb

[canuck750]

Cleaning up an old mucky carb is easy work with a vapour blaster

This old Dellorto is dirty but under the muck in good shape



To clean it all of the components need to be removed



varnish and grime



It takes very little time to clean these castings and components





The high flow of water with the glass bead in suspension strips all the oxidation and grime off.



cleaning the small bits by holding them in voce grips takes a little bit of time

Rinse with clean water and blow out all the passages



If you have an old mucky carb consider vapour blasting to get them super clean

[normzone]

I don't trust vice grips to hold the small bits when I'm vapor blasting ...

I like to grip them with my teeth.

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've probably missed it. What are you using as a vapor blaster?

[blackcat]

Vapor blasted mine about a week ago. Some rust formed after sitting for a few days, so I need to reshoot and spray down with a rust inhibitor when finished.

[Groover]

Looks great, the results of vapor blasting seem to never disappoint. Can you put the small bits in say a tea infuser, or would the screen kill the blast too much? They sell some up to around 4" in diameter too. I'm guessing maybe the stuff will roll around too much. Anyway, just an idea 

Smaller:



Larger:

[larrys]

Looks great, the results of vapor blasting seem to never disappoint. Can you put the small bits in say a tea infuser, or would the screen kill the blast too much? They sell some up to around 4" in diameter too. I'm guessing maybe the stuff will roll around too much. Anyway, just an idea 

Smaller:



Larger:


 

Things like that work great for Parkerising small parts. Drop in the park tank, shake around every five minutes or so til done.
Larry

[jared p]

Looks brand spankin new. That's awesome!

[canuck750]

Looks great, the results of vapor blasting seem to never disappoint. Can you put the small bits in say a tea infuser, or would the screen kill the blast too much? They sell some up to around 4" in diameter too. I'm guessing maybe the stuff will roll around too much. Anyway, just an idea 

Smaller:



Larger:

I like that idea! Its time consuming holding each tiny part, one at a time with a small pair of vice grips.

Heading to a kitchen gadget shop today!

I've probably missed it. What are you using as a vapor blaster?

Hi Chuck,  I am using my Vapor Honing Technologies 'Weekend Warrior' blast cabinet, I have had it for over two years now, its a fantastic piece of kit, I use it constantly for cleaning just about everything motorcycle related.

A friend of mine has a buddy out east that took a Harbor Freight sand blast cabinet, sealed it all up water tight and bought an Ingersoll-Rand slurry pump and made his own. There ain't much to a vapour blaster, all you need is a at least 60 psi constant air pressure, a water supply, and a good slurry pump.

You tube video (real crappy camera work) of how one guy converted a HF cabinet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz81iO-RWY4

[blackcat]

I purchased the smaller version of the Vapor Honing Technologies product. I'd prefer the larger version but didn't feel like spending $2,800 bucks.

[canuck750]

I purchased the smaller version of the Vapor Honing Technologies product. I'd prefer the larger version but didn't feel like spending $2,800 bucks.

The Micro Vapor Hone looks like a great product, big enough for most motorcycle stuff and doesn't look like it takes up much space.

https://vaporhoningtechnologies.com/micro-vapor-hone/

[Sheepdog]

I use a cheap soda blaster. The residue rinses away with water...

[blackcat]

The Micro Vapor Hone looks like a great product, big enough for most motorcycle stuff and doesn't look like it takes up much space.

https://vaporhoningtechnologies.com/micro-vapor-hone/

It's fine for what I need, but if I ever needed to do an entire Guzzi block I'd have to send it out to someone. The transmission might get in there, but I wouldn't take that bet. Personally I'd rather have the one that you purchased but I just couldn't justify the cost.

[geodoc]

These guys did the engine cases, cylinders, heads and carbs on my Ducati 750 GT and was very pleased:

https://www.vaporblastcanada.com/






.

[moto-uno]

  ^ Am I hallucinating or is that a set of BSA engine cases ?  Peter

[tazio]

  ^ Am I hallucinating or is that a set of BSA engine cases ?  Peter

Yep, looks like a power egg to me...

[harry h]

My cabinet is being delivered on Monday from VHT, can't wait to use it. 

Harry

[geodoc]

  ^ Am I hallucinating or is that a set of BSA engine cases ?  Peter

Yep. Image lifted off his site. Here's how mine turned out.







.

[normzone]

Things like that work great for Parkerising small parts. Drop in the park tank, shake around every five minutes or so til done.

Damn ... At first read I misread that as "Parkerising small pets". You guys get serious ...

[dsrdave]

I’d highly recommend an ultrasonic cleaning after vapor blasting. Particularly with a carb. 

[Rusnak_322]

You have to be careful with vapor blasting carbs as the blasting media can get clogged in the small orifices.

Soda blasting works well as the baking soda will easily dissolve in gasoline.

I used a $5 soda blaster and baking soda that was in my fridge to clean these carbs. Blasted into a bucket in my driveway. Inside looked just as good. I do want a vapor blaster for other parts.

http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/soda-blaster.html

[canuck750]

I’d highly recommend an ultrasonic cleaning after vapor blasting. Particularly with a carb.

Indeed, I also recommend passing various thickness of sprung piano wire through the passages, I have a selection of various gauges of wire I got from Metal Supermarkets in Canada. I used to use Soda blasting and on a rare occasion still do but the vapour blast process and finish is much better in my opinion.

[yellowheader]

Indeed, I also recommend passing various thickness of sprung piano wire through the passages, I have a selection of various gauges of wire I got from Metal Supermarkets in Canada. I used to use Soda blasting and on a rare occasion still do but the vapour blast process and finish is much better in my opinion.

I love Metals Supermarket. Almost as much as Princess Auto.