Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I’d like to clean-up my carbs before sending them out for vapor blasting and have searched previous posts for a solution recommendation. There’s is quite a lot of discussion, but I couldn’t find a definitive recommendation.

I have 2 ultrasonic cleaners, one small HF one and one quite large decent quality one, it think it’s 30” x 15” x 15”

Does anyone have experience with Webers and a specific solution that worked well?

My default solution has been diluted Simple Green which works quite well, but not great, for most thing. I’d like to try a solvent, I’m thinking mineral spirits, but I’m definitely open to an experience based recommendation.

Thanks!

Ian

Hello Ian,

I've used 409 as an ultrasonic cleaner and it worked better than simple green. Not much help for corrosion.

I've used this product at a previous job.
https://iultrasonic.com/elma-tec-s1-cor ... ver-02-5l/

This stuff is good but has sodium hydroxide in it. Don't use on chrome, brass, aluminum.
https://zep.com/products/industrial-pur ... ail-r45815

Last one is "oil eater" which is a stronger version of 409.

I would be reluctant to use mineral spirits because of fumes and an ignition source.

My former employer also uses ultrasonic, to removed caked on crude oil. I can ask them what they use.

This subject has been discussed before in great detail here. To do the job properly the carburetors should be completely stripped before they are cleaned. Note about blockages in the lower passageways.

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50637&p=368738#p368738

I found that simple green cleaned the parts, but dulled the aluminum.
Internal parts would be ok, and vapor blasting the bodies will come up amazing, but finish will not last.
A professional restoration shop owner told me to paint the bodies with aluminum colored paint after hydro blasting. And this works! However you need to use paint that gas does not wash off.

StressCraxx wrote:I would be reluctant to use mineral spirits because of fumes and an ignition source.

You can always use a more volatile cleaning medium inside a smaller, sealed container that is suspended in your normal medium. Sound waves ain't fussy.

I do typically do this. I have a large US cleaner so it would cost a fortune to fill the entire tank with any specialized cleaners/solvents.

Ian

I mentioned previously that I used a specialized carburettor cleaning solution by Allendale ultrasonics in the uk. They now also supply it in a very economical powder form that you can mix up yourself. Check EBay. They do ship internationally. Works well

2cams70 wrote:I mentioned previously that I used a specialized carburettor cleaning solution by Allendale ultrasonics in the uk. They now also supply it in a very economical powder form that you can mix up yourself. Check EBay. They do ship internationally. Works well

I appreciate the lead!

Thank you.

Ian