What to use to clean carbon off pistons??

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04-04-2008, 08:43 AM

Bill Bowling

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What to use to clean carbon off pistons??

Should I just scrap the carbon off or use some type of cleaner?

I was thinking of scraping the heavy carbon off and cleaning the rest with a cleaner. What about brake cleaner?

Bill

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04-04-2008, 08:52 AM

2002ws-6

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I used a 3m plastic abrasive wheel from the boby work section of AutoZone. It was the brown colored one, I made sure it wouldn't cut into the pistons first. I would recomend masking off all the coolant pasages and lifter tray areas first.

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04-04-2008, 08:54 AM

Formula96

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brake cleaner and a little elbow grease...

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04-04-2008, 09:12 AM

Randy WS6

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lacquer thinner,let them soak for a while and it will wipe right off.

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04-04-2008, 09:37 AM

Sigforty

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Sea foam on a rag works really well. Not only can you run it through the engine, but you can also clean with it.

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04-04-2008, 09:56 AM

bsf

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Permatex gasket remover works awesome on the carbon build up.

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04-04-2008, 10:10 AM

prochargedchevyi

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bsf

Permatex gasket remover works awesome on the carbon build up.

+1

Gasket Remover plus a scotch brite pad. Then hit it again with some brake cleaner and wipe with a clean paper towel.

They should look pretty good after that.

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04-06-2008, 09:20 PM

BAD2000TA

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I just did this about a month ago. Good carb cleaner and a brass brush and they clean up like new.

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04-06-2008, 10:44 PM

Jasonscott

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BAD2000TA

I just did this about a month ago. Good carb cleaner and a brass brush and they clean up like new.

second this. just got done doing mine. Used brake clean and a brass brush. cleaned up real easy and the brass wont scratch the pistons.

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04-06-2008, 10:46 PM

#10

Jordan S.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy WS6

lacquer thinner,let them soak for a while and it will wipe right off.

x2. Lacquer thinner is great, it doesn't leave any kind of residue either.

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04-06-2008, 10:47 PM

#11

Jordan S.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonscott

second this. just got done doing mine. Used brake clean and a brass brush. cleaned up real easy and the brass wont scratch the pistons.

Use lacquer thinner and a shop towel, shop towels don't scratch them either.

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04-07-2008, 12:26 AM

#12

Boosted 99 TA

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never tried lacquer thinner but gasket remover worked very well for me

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04-07-2008, 01:09 AM

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redrider4

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dishwasher.

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04-07-2008, 02:32 AM

#14

Jantzer98SS

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Sand blaster.

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04-07-2008, 04:46 AM

#15

LS1C5Vette

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Wire brush on a drill

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04-07-2008, 06:30 AM

#16

SS101

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so pretty much anything but steel wool lol

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04-07-2008, 07:02 AM

#17

BlackScreaminMachine

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Wd-40 and a red scotch brite pad.

The some brake clean and a rag should finish her good.

I do not like anything stringent like brake clean or laquer thinner to take off build up with an abrasive pad becuase it could scratch. I worry about this more with cyl heads but I like to make sure its the same that when I left it.