[tinman]

I have an old piston from one of my engines that I want to clean and put on my office desk. Of course, it has lots of carbon and is pretty grungy. What might be the best way to clean this puppy to make it presentable?

 

[swat455]

Re: Carbon Removal

goto auto store and get the 1 gal of carb cleaner dip tray inc ..

 

[dkozloski]

Re: Carbon Removal

Take it to an automotive machine shop and have it bead blasted with fine glass beads.

 

[Submariner409]

Re: Carbon Removal

Clean it (a little bit) with choke cleaner and leave the carbon residue - pistons are not supposed to be a squeaky clean paperweight. They have done work.

This came out of a seized Olds 455 - used a sledge hammer and a 4X4. Bored that puppy +.020", new pistons/rings, some goodies - running today.

 

[Ranger]

Re: Carbon Removal

Wire wheel it.

 

[talismandave]

Re: Carbon Removal

I'm with Sub, I would want my faithful old servant to retain it"s well earned patina!

 

[Submariner409]

Re: Carbon Removal

Back in my smoking days (3 packs of Marlboro a day) I used to cut a piston at the wristpin area, clean it up, and give them to customers for ash trays.

 

[tinman]

Re: Carbon Removal

Good ideas, all. I will probably leave some patina, I just don't want folks to pick it up and get dirty. I'll start with some carb cleaner in a small spot and see how that works.

 

[TSINND]

Re: Carbon Removal

brass wire brush and wd40.

 

[tinman]

Now I've heard of many uses for WD-40. That's a new one. Thanks.

 

[Stingroo]

Soak it in Purple Power. Exhibit A, after an overnight soak:

 

[tinman]

Wow!

 

[tinman]

I bought some Purple Power and it is currently soaking. I will post up more info tomorrow. I thank everyone for their help; tomorrow we shall see!

 

[Stingroo]

Cool.

Where in Jax are you? I spent four years at JU.

 

[tinman]

I live in Ponte Vedra Beach. Gotta be near the shore.

I soaked the piston in PP for two days. It helped, but it hasn't been complete. I will put it back in and look at it Monday. If it isn't clean by then, then it is on to Plan B.