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High pressure steam cleaning

AUSMHLY

Yoda
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What's your thoughts on using one of those small portable high pressure steam cleaning units.

The area I am concerned about most is the carburetors. Lots of linkages, screws and springs that are hard to get to. Hot pressured steam seems like a logical approach. But how logical or a no no.

I spent a bit of time polishing the carburetor set up and would like to keep them looking their best.
I always say, it's in the details.

What do you do or use to get into those areas and keep them looking like engine jewelery.
Thoughts?
Roger
 
AUSMHLY said:
What's your thoughts on using one of those small portable high pressure steam cleaning units.

I think they might be useful to press clothes

The area I am concerned about most is the carburetors. Lots of linkages, screws and springs that are hard to get to. Hot pressured steam seems like a logical approach. But how logical or a no no.

I think this is a NO NO TOO !

I spent a bit of time polishing the carburetor set up and would like to keep them looking their best.
I always say, it's in the details.

I think maintaining that level of finish on the car is virtually impossible.

What do you do or use to get into those areas and keep them looking like engine jewelery.

Not like Jewelry but clean; Spray on carb cleaner with rags tucked all around to protect painted surfaces.
Thoughts?
Roger
-------------I Know you din't want to hear this----------Keoke-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
Wow! Those carbs look fabuloso. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif You've got a lot of time on your hands to go with the dexterity, patience, meticulosity...

I have no idea what steam cleaning will do for them, but I'm thinking that Simple Green and a very soft tooth brush would be the way to maintain their appearance after they accumulate some road grime. Assuming that the rest of your Healey looks as good, are you really going to get it dirty?

By the way, are you a jeweler?
 
Editor_Reid said:
Wow! Those carbs look fabuloso. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif You've got a lot of time on your hands to go with the dexterity, patience, meticulosity...

I have no idea what steam cleaning will do for them,----Just think oxidizse like /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif.

but I'm thinking that Simple Green and a very soft tooth brush would be the way to maintain their appearance after they accumulate some road grime. Assuming that the rest of your Healey looks as good, are you really going to get it dirty?

By the way, are you a jeweler?

Naw he is not a jeweler yet but I think he been taking some couses in it at the local JC.- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Griots sells lots of little brushes, large Q tip type tools and the like. I would be tempted to spray with something that drys quickly like electric contact cleaner (might not be quite as corrosive as the carb cleaner) and also use one of those "air cans" used to clean electronic equipment to blast out dirt and grime from the tight areas.

A problem with polished aluminum and brass is that it should be sealed to stop oxidation. I recall you used some type of polish/sealer on your carbs but professional metal restorers use clear urethane (used to use clear lacquer) to protect the finish or have things clear anodized. Por15 makes a clear called Glisten that "might" be chemically resistant enough for the carb environment or you might check with the pros to see what they recommend.

Cheers,
John
 
Hey guys, just the type of responses I was hoping for.
I do have an aircompressor that I use to blow out the dirt and water.

I don't want to implement anything that will advance the oxidation. Hence asking about steam.

I am very interested in sealing the finish. And as you say, I'm concerned about the environment of the carbs.

As my question has now taken on another topic, what would be a good sealer?
Roger
 
AUSMHLY said:
What's your thoughts on using one of those small portable high pressure steam cleaning units.

The area I am concerned about most is the carburetors. Lots of linkages, screws and springs that are hard to get to. Hot pressured steam seems like a logical approach. But how logical or a no no.

I spent a bit of time polishing the carburetor set up and would like to keep them looking their best.
I always say, it's in the details.

What do you do or use to get into those areas and keep them looking like engine jewelery.
Thoughts?
Roger
Please send me your carbs FedEx while you steam clean your engine.
 
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