TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:14 pm

I tried power washing, oven cleaner, scotch bright, and the dish water with no luck.

So I bought this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-lb-portable-soda-blaster-65902.html

Its on clearance for ~$35

And turned this case:

into this:

I'm convinced that soda blasting is magic. Worked like a charm. Only complaints is that is gets everywhere and you have to shake the container occasionally to get it to flow. I went through about 6lbs total to do the entire case and a 4BBL carb for my friend. Baking soda is $1 for 2lbs at wally world.

I know that soda blasting has been mentioned time over again along with other methods. This is by far the best method in my opinion. Also will come in handy for cleaning up a couple more carbs, transmission, etc. I wouldn't even mess with power washing or any hand held cleaners again. I just placed it up on the shelve until i receive the rest of my parts and machining. When the time comes ill dip it in a bath of water to clean all the galleys and such. Then a quick dip in the parts cleaner to keep it from oxidizing before i assemble it.

Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:57 pm

Nice job, I would give the case a coat of light oil for while its sitting on the shelf though as any moisture in the air will cause the corrosion to return, I had a case sit dry for two years and found light corrosion, a quick spray of CRC or WD40 killed it off

Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:44 pm

It is pretty amazing and perfect for engine cases.

Mine went from this...

To this...

I gave it a liberal spray with this stuff afterwards -

I think it's just a penetrating oil but it soaked into the metal and seems to be protecting it well in the months it's been sat on the bench since it got the soda treatment. Gave it a nice sheen too.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

Because "Magnesium that's coated with Gibbs Brand is happy magnesium." :lol:

Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:51 pm

SWEET! Thanks for the tip I just called my local harbor freight and they have a couple in stock! You know what Ill be picking up in the morning :D @ $34 :shock: Im ALL over that thing.

Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:08 pm

Dangermouse wrote: It is pretty amazing and perfect for engine cases.

Mine went from this...

I think it's just a penetrating oil but it soaked into the metal and seems to be protecting it well in the months it's been sat on the bench since it got the soda treatment. Gave it a nice sheen too.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

Because "Magnesium that's coated with Gibbs Brand is happy magnesium." :lol:

where can one purchase Gibbs oil at? Or do i have to order it online?

Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:43 pm

That is the only place I have ever seen it.

Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:10 pm

Deffinetly coat the case with some sorta petroleum based something or other to keep is from exidizing. Man soda blasting is the way to go and safe too.

Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:14 pm

the site says $99.99 Is it a store thing, or has the price gone up?

Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:49 am

I just talked to two harbor freight stores in Oregon and one had soda blasters on clearance for 35.00 the other store did not. So you may have to call around. For 35.00 bucks I think I will try one !

Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:56 am

I saw one sunday and it was reg price (in alabama, why I was there is a mistry to me)

Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:20 am

It may seem obvious, but don't forget to flush your case out completely - air, then clean water and dry it out with compressed air. It doesn't take much residue to eat away your bearings. I've seen engines ruined on the test stand by some companies (I'm also an air-cooled aircraft engine mechanic / ignition specialist) because just a tiny bit of abrasive was hiding in an oil gallery and was missed during preassembly inspection.

Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:11 pm

What about old engine cases that have a nice heavy coating of old grease/dirt on them? Do you have to pre-wash them before blasting?

Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:47 pm

It would be a good idea to wash it first so you don't have to waste your abrasive. Just a quick scrub with a brush (like one you would use on dirty pots/pans) and some water with liquid dish soap will save you time in the long run.

Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:45 pm

Just finished putting mine together :wink: Anyone out here the hesperia store has 5 left @ $34 a peice :D I gotta say, Harbor freight seems to be stepping up the quality compared to the crap I used to get there back in the day.

Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:12 pm

Don't forget, Harbor Frieght has coupons out all the time. I've used the 20% off coupon multiple times for the big stuff.
http://www.harborfreight.com/extra-savings.html

Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:55 am

Thanks for the heads-up on the cheap soda blaster. My Harbor Freight only had 2 left @ $35. It will come in handy cleaning up my long block that has been sitting around a while and Dellorto carbs.

Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:33 pm

my local harbor frieght said they only had the display model left. i went up there, and it was just the tank, it was missing everything that goes attached to it :evil: . the only other store near me (2 hrs away) was sold out :cry: .

If its any consolation to anyone else who couldn't find any, the 15lb model is on sale for $99 (the one on clearence for $35 was the 10lb version).

Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:42 pm

Bashr52 wrote: What about old engine cases that have a nice heavy coating of old grease/dirt on them? Do you have to pre-wash them before blasting?

Blasting works poorly on goop, so you must degrease the case as much as you can.
Otherwise the media just gets stuck in the goop and it LOOKS clean, but it isn't!

Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:59 pm

Just bought this joker and used a 20% off coupon to boot!! I will post pics of my success/ failure tommorow... Gotta do my case and may spritz the outsides of my Idf's. Thanks for the tip guys!!!

Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:25 pm

where do yall see the 20% off coupon at?