Best way to get carbon off of pistons??

studmuffed · Sep 21, 2018

Hey guys,

Im trying to refresh my B230F and my pistons have a layer of carbon on them. I soaked them in diesel for a week to hopefully loosen some of it up but it's still glued on. Any suggestions? I was thinking of trying a nylon brush and some Brakleen next...

Nick

VB242 · Sep 21, 2018

I used super fine non woven nylon, think scotch Brite but really fine and brake clean.

57plymouth · Sep 21, 2018

Brass bristle wire wheel on a bench grinder.

WEAR EYE PROTECTION FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

culberro · Sep 21, 2018

Dip them in concentrated purple power or Super Clean for about 10-15min, then scrub scrub scrub.
Don't leave them in their overnight, since the cleaners contain sodium hydroxide (lye) which will attack aluminum.

Redwood Chair · Sep 21, 2018

hiperfauto · Sep 21, 2018

Soak them in ATF overnight. It will soften the carbon and make them easy to clean.

culberro · Sep 21, 2018

hiperfauto said:
Soak them in ATF overnight. It will soften the carbon and make them easy to clean.

ATF is a magic cleaning solution.

15A · Sep 21, 2018

https://www.amazon.com/Berryman-Products-996-Chem-Dip-Carburetor/dp/B00DSMEL2A

Only stuff I use. Overnight each one and it looks like it just came out of the box.

lummert · Sep 21, 2018

15A said:
https://www.amazon.com/Berryman-Products-996-Chem-Dip-Carburetor/dp/B00DSMEL2A

Only stuff I use. Overnight each one and it looks like it just came out of the box.

Just what I was thinking.

Harlard · Sep 21, 2018

Not too impressed with Chem Dip, honestly. Torching **** works way better.

culberro said:
ATF is a magic cleaning solution.

This plus acetone will get anything clean.

studmuffed · Sep 21, 2018

Thanks for the suggestions. The brass brushes won't scratch the pistons at all?

57plymouth · Sep 21, 2018

Nickagriffin said:
Thanks for the suggestions. The brass brushes won't scratch the pistons at all?

No. It won't.

vwbusman66 · Sep 21, 2018

seafoam, duh.

freevolvos · Sep 21, 2018

take them to a local machine shop with a case of beer they'll look like new

philski o'flood · Sep 22, 2018

don't beat yourself up over them, it most likely won't make any difference... well unless it's like a half inch thick :lol:

Best way to get carbon off of pistons??

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