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Polishing my piston tops.....

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I have been removing the carbon buildup on top of my pistons (I won't say what I did, ya'll will laugh at me) and resultant in some scratching of the tops of the aluminum pistons. I have resorted to using 600 grit wet/dry paper with oil and graduate to 1500 grit to get 'em shiny and smooth. Too late to turn back. Will gently go around perimeter of each piston with a dental pick (one of the advantages of my trade) and lift the small crud from the groove around the piston. Using a very high pick-up vacuum and some Marvel Mystery Oil.

Gotta get the smooth to avoid hot spots.
 
Ya need a little Teflon on each of those babies so it won't stick.
 
Bill,

A round brass wire brush on a drill should do this nicely with less work. Naturally, the piston will be at TDC so as not to damage the wall and the remaining cylinders will be covered.
 
Hey Paul..

Boy, did I almost screw up. I have a "brass" brush that goes into my drill that ain't brass. It is steel with brass-colored coating. Should'a tested it with a magnet first. One quick pass and I nicely gouged the top of one piston. Whew! Could'a been a disaster. Got those scratches out by the hardest. Next time, check first. The eyes can deceive but the nose knows......
 
I always try the alleged "brass" brush on a scrap part to make sure that it doesn't happen.

Please don't ask me how I (expensively) learned to do that when I was on flat rate.

I also buy those types of tools from MSC or Grainger. At least you know for sure what you're getting.
 
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