Practically Classics Forum

Hi all,

I've started a rebuild of my motorcycle engine and have started with the oil pumps. I have cleaned them in a parts washer but I still don't consider the parts to be clean enough. What is the best way to clean small parts on a DIY basis? I've done a search on the internet and within this site but can't find much advice.

Any advice gratefully received.

Many thanks,
Dario

A dishwasher is the best ever way to clean those smaller parts. I've had most of a Fiat 500 engine in mine and that came out clean (and free as the heat expanded the barrels just enough)....

Seriously, they're ideal and as long as you don't want to wash your pots at the same time, there's possibly very little actual health risk involved.

You must be single

DIY soda blaster?
http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-t ... a_blaster/

Ultrasonic tank? I clean all my clock parts after dissasembly in one with a pretty nasty ammonia solution available from horological suppliers. Takes off old laquer / varnish and dirt with little trouble and gets into nooks and crannies no bother. I'm sure theres other cleaning fluids available also.

How big a tank would be the issue, mines about 5 litres and would take something around the size of an SU carb as an example.

If you can get some, paraffin is really good for getting crud and oily deposits off engine parts. Thinners is good for cleaning carbs or if you get some proper carb cleaner that is really good stuff!

suffolkpete wrote:You must be single

Yes, but I have the dishwasher because I'm currently single and not the other way round!

Seriously, give it a go. You can steam a whole salmon in a dishwasher too. That makes a far worse smell than cleaning a few bits of oily metal.

Well, I'm not single and we have a dishwasher, whats more I don't reckon the wife even knows where it is

Damn her ill health.............Damn it to hell

Still, as I'm also in charge of the cooker, I can tell you it makes a damn fine parts dryer

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give some of them a try.
Dario

JPB wrote:Yes, but I have the dishwasher because I'm currently single and not the other way round!
Seriously, give it a go. You can steam a whole salmon in a dishwasher too. That makes a far worse smell than cleaning a few bits of oily metal.

John - what flavour rinse aid works best with salmon?

I have heard of using a dishwasher to clean up old lamp lenses, make them sparkle etc but never had the courage myself - a) because it is our dishwasher & b) because the lenses in question are very hard to replace.
Be cautious though as some steel & alloy cooking utensils are corroded in the dishwasher.
Ed