Advice on cleaning/ blasting carb - Ducati.ms

Daniil · Feb 27th, 2011, 9:27 pm

Hi guys. I am putting together a hotter version of a small UA 16S for my 50cc bike. It works well but looks crappy since it is put together from three different ones. Some parts are really discolored, some dark gray, some plain rusty. How do you give them a uniformal silver sheen? I tried wire brush with little success. I have heard of soda blasting. Anyone can explain the process in DIY steps? Thanks. Dan

mizike77 · Feb 28th, 2011, 7:22 am

Here is some reading on the subject.
Soda, Sand, Corn Cob Blasting NH MA ME CT Cape Cod Log Cabin New England

I did this one in my driveway to my darmah carbies. It worked, but I went through a fair amount of soda. It may take some time to get it perfected but my results were pretty good.
AircooledTech's Tools-On-The-Cheap - DIY Soda Blaster

mizike77 · Feb 28th, 2011, 7:41 am

Pics of my results..(if the pics work?)

WindyDucat · Feb 28th, 2011, 8:21 am

mike,

I assume that you can use a standard media blast head for soda blasting, instead of make your own?

mizike77 · Feb 28th, 2011, 9:33 am

I would think so, but whats in the pic is what I have tried...so I couldnt say for sure.

Daniil · Mar 1st, 2011, 3:17 pm

Thanks, looks easy enough. I will report back with the results. Dan

GRM 450 · Mar 2nd, 2011, 11:37 pm

For what it's worth, I had my son's 500 Pantah motor, carbs, wheels, etc, etc professionally soda blasted. They do an excellent job of stripping paint, but only an average job of cleaning really dirty and stained alloy.
We ended stripping the motor and other alloy bits and having them wet blasted. The finish is very good.
Carbs too, just make sure who does them understands bikes, and clean everything 3 times.
Graeme

WindyDucat · Mar 3rd, 2011, 11:29 am

I love cheap DIY tools that really work. I tried the DIY soda blaster last night on tarnished aluminum motorcycle carbs and it worked great.

Tonight I am going to fine tune it a little bit. It used a lot of soda - putting a adjustable clamp on hose sucking up the soda might control the soda flow. The nozzle is too large so I am going to cut a seam on tip of the tube length wise and tuck one edge of the seam under the other to create a more pointed nozzle. This should create a smaller and more concentrated spray, and might increase velocity.

Thanks again for the tip. Cal