Painting carbs... Pro's and Con's? Get into it!

[OneArmWillie]

I am trying to find some info on painting carbs.

I am interested in finding out steps or tips

I have never done it before so some guidance and photos would help.

Thanks!

Inspiration:

 

[Big R]

Well, obviously prep work will be extremely important. I personally recommend soda blasting every last nook and cranny on the external surface, followed by a thorough rinse in warm water. Then boiling the carb body (I'm assuming you know to completely strip them internally.......) to bring out any other oils that have been soaking into the aluminum. Then pour out the top layer of oily water (basically don't lift the clean carb up through the oily surface), and tape off every opening that needs it. And some dust free latex gloves should be worn as to not transfer fingerprints onto the aluminum.

I may have skipped over some details, but hopefully you get the gist of it.

 

[surffly]

Dont paint over/clog the vents
And totally rebuild the carbs and know that you can tune 100% before rebuilding them so that you dont ruin the work by letting fuel leak out and all over your new paint

 

[GTOJohnny67]

I'd powder coat them. That way in the future if you do get a fuel leak it won't eat the paint off. I picked up a cheap Harbor Freight gun for $75. I've had it for two years now, using it 2-3 times a month. It's paid for its self ten times over.

 

[Captmilk76]

Re: Re: Painting carbs... Pro's and Con's? Get into it!

I'd powder coat them. That way in the future if you do get a fuel leak it won't eat the paint off. I picked up a cheap Harbor Freight gun for $75. I've had it for two years now, using it 2-3 times a month. It's paid for its self ten times over.

What do you use for an oven

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[Flugtechnik]

I made the mistake of painting mine. After about a week it was coming off because I had a leaky bowl. Then I used some carb cleaner one time and a bunch of it bubbled off. After that I just stripped them.

 

[OneArmWillie]

Flugtechnik ~ Did you think about baking them after painting?

 

[surffly]

Fuel will eat PC too, just slower
I would never in a million years PC a carb though, risk of warping from the heat or getting a passage way clogged

 

[squeak]

I am trying to find some info on painting carbs.

I am interested in finding out steps or tips

I have never done it before so some guidance and photos would help.

Thanks!

Inspiration:

OK let me make it a little easier for you. THAT is MY carbie (there's 2 of them from my Guzzi Cafe) and it;'s NOT painted, it;s Black Ceramic coated. Painting is pretty much a no no as it's not just fuel but also petrol FUMES that will screw up your paint job.

 

[nothingleft09]

If you rig up some wire to the overhead and pull all of the racks out you can bake powdercoat at a heat just above the carb would normally see, in a household oven without warping. Don't use the one in your house. Find one someone is getting rid of. If you use the one in your house you will get sick as hell from the powder coat fumes sticking in the oven and jacking up your food. Despite being isolated carbs still get hot. You could go around about 250-400 degrees it's just a longer bake cycle at lower temps. Now I'm telling you here I have never done this. My collision repair instructor who was one of those crazy old dudes who knew pretty much every old school trick on earth told us all about doing this to parts for hot rods and so on. So, IF you powder coat look at the specs, bake times and temps of your PC. Don't do this in your normal oven you cook with you don't want to breath or have your house smell like PC so check the MSDS on it and proceed at your own risk. Just so we are clear, I'm in no way liable for any damages to parts, belongs or people if you do this and fail. I'm just telling you what I know. What you do with it is up to you. Be smart and be careful.

I also found you guys a good link on powder coating. This guy uses an old oven also.
http://www.allpar.com/fix/holler/powder-coat.html

 

[AnxiousCowboy]

OK let me make it a little easier for you. THAT is MY carbie (there's 2 of them from my Guzzi Cafe) and it;'s NOT painted, it;s Black Ceramic coated. Painting is pretty much a no no as it's not just fuel but also petrol FUMES that will screw up your paint job.

If you ceramic coat, is there no risk at all from the fuel, or just a lot less?

 

[squeak]

If you ceramic coat, is there no risk at all from the fuel, or just a lot less?

NONE that I am aware of, however it will look tatty if you have a feul leak, just as any Carbie would.

 

[QupiX]

You could also try to boil them in Soda. Gives them a nice dark colour and you don't have to be afraid paint will come off due to gas leakage etc.

 

[Big R]

You could also try to boil them in Soda. Gives them a nice dark colour and you don't have to be afraid paint will come off due to gas leakage etc.

Joosts, I've never heard of this but I can imagine it working. Have you done it or have any pics of the result?

 

[damarble]

What he said.

(mostly posting to remind myself to check back)

 

[QupiX]

I don't have a picture - yet. Friend of mine applied the method to his guzzi carbs, they got a nice dark grey colour. Will ask him for a picture. Easiest method to 'paint' your carbs in my opinion.