OK this is what Im working with and a 4 hour soak in Chem Dip didn't really help much to get this carbon off. Can I media Blast these things clean and reuse them? I seen a junkyard build on Horsepower TV and they media blasted the whole piston, ring groves and all. If i do blast them is it ok to use aluminum oxide media?

 

Use Soda, way less abrasive.

 

Thanks for the reply, Ill pick some up and change out in my cabinet.

 

I've used carb cleaner and plastic bristled brush in the past with good luck.

 

Never sand blast pistons. I wouldn't even use media blasting.

It damages the ring grooves, don't believe what some chowderheads on Horsepower TV say, they never show the back story. They didn't tell you that it used a quart of oil every 50 miles. Even worse, the media will inbed itself in the aluminum which will lead to trouble.

Google sandblasting pistons for more info.

Let 'em soak for few days and use stainless wire wheel to clean them.

 

I've used a product called "Piston Kleen" with great success. It gets the junk off pretty well and doesn't attack the surface.

 

A soak in hot green antifreeze overnight will make them look new.

 

I could see soda blasting them clean, but with the way that piston looks, I would have to wonder how worn out the cylinder walls are. It almost looks as if there was no ring contact.

 

Bored the block .030 so these pistons are useless to me anyways.

 

So that really works? Nice to know and easy to do.