gray residue on carburetor after soak

[Tdog71]

I soaked my Solex 34 PICT in Berrymans chem dip for 26 hours and when I removed it, I have a gray residue on it. It looks like the same color as the carburetor, and rubs off easily and makes a mess when handled. I wiped off what I could with a paper towel and the finish now looks like a lighter shade. Did I do something wrong ? Is there some other product to remove the remaining residue as its quite messy.

[esde]

A always give mine a thorough soak and scrub with lacquer thinner if I've used a stronger solvent like berrymans. The Dellorto's I just rebuilt got a trip through the dishwasher after that when the wife wasn't looking.

[61SNRF]

That is a layer of oxidized base metal the carb body itself is made of after all the oils have been washed away. Whether they are made from aluminum, Zinc, or white metal, I'm not certain. It just comes naturally from years of exposure to the air.

It is more of a visual defect than functional. As long as there is no deep pits or corrosion in the metal, as suggested use some Lacquer thinner or just physically polish it off as best as practical. Don't use any wire brushes as they will scratch the soft metal.
_________________
-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[Tdog71]

Indeed. It seems now that it dried it does not rub off hardly at all. When wet it was messy, and now the carburettor is a cloudy, dull color.
This Is an original German Solex 34 PICT, so not sure what type of metal it is

[61SNRF]

It is difficult if not impossible to make an old one look NOS. People that do restore them to sell will charge accordingly for it and AFAIK keep their refinishing techniques something of a secret.

I would suggest you make sure it works well for you before you put to much energy into it. Overhauling a carb to work well is one thing, restoring one to look brand new is going to be another.

At this stage, you might try some hot soapy water, a toothbrush and baking soda, or maybe even some vinegar. Once it is cleaned as best as practical and back together you can also coat it with something that will protect all the parts from future oxidation, like WD40 or similar. That will bring up a little shine and make it look better overall too.
_________________
-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[Max Welton]

You can blast it with baking soda which won't hurt the metal. Easy clean-up with water.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[Joey]

Carb soda blasting...

http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/
_________________
Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

[Tdog71]

[Tdog71]

[gt1953]

After soaking them generally rinse them in water and then soap and water and water again...Air compressor dry...they will be slightly dull. You can also use aluminum polish on them for a nice finish.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})