Powder coating Carb Bodies

So, I am getting close to rebuilding my Mikuni VM28ss carbs for my KZ project bike. They have chrome and polished fuel bowls/carb tops and thinking about the best way to seal them up for coating. The tops are easy as I can use my high temp tape to simply apply and trim along the edge of the casting. The bowl area is where I am giving consideration. Because of the float tower, main jet emuslsion tube boss, and pilot boss it is not flat below the bowl mating edge. This will make taping difficult to ensure a good seal.

Anyone done PC'ing of carb bodies before? Thinking about buying an extra set of bowls and using them to seal off the carb. Have silicone plugs and caps to seal up all other ports and openings. I could use my current bowls and just tape over them I suppose...

Thoughts on this?

Cory

Have noticed that black powder-coated engine cases are subject to slight staining discoloration where fuel has dripped onto them from the carbs. And concluded that while powder-coating is very resistant to fuel, it's not 100% impervious to being permanently stained by being exposed to fuel when the fuel isn't promptly wiped off the powder-coating.

Just saying that the powder-coated finish, imo, isn't absolutely impervious to being stained by exposure to fuel that isn't promptly wiped off.

Have attempted to polish out the fuel-stained area on the black powder-coated engine case, which seemed to help, but wasn't 100% successful.

Would speculate that permanent fuel-stained areas will soon appear on powder-coated carbs.

Perhaps Por-15 paint might be equally fuel resistant?

Have also wondered about feasibility of Gun-Koting the carbs.

At www.wgcarbs.com , wiredgeorge recommends against painting carbs, and charges extra to remove the paint. Am guessing he would really hate the thought of powder-coating. :woohoo:

Good Fortune!

Perhaps -- soda-blasting the carb bodies?

www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

Good Fortune!

Yeah I get it isn't for everyone, but then again I am building this for me. Depends on the PC used, and my PC is going to be a two stages with a clear coat over the color coat. I am using a Bright Splash Green metallic that will match my paint. I am going to blast the carbs anyway along with degassing them prior to coating.

Cory

Found these earlier threads of interest regarding powder-coating the carbs.

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/27198...ed-george-help#27272

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/214307-carb-paint#214703

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/257158...e-before-pics#257406

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/31557...r-coat-bs34-s#315667

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/434625-painting-carbs#434628

www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/57337...nish-question#573378

Good Fortune!

The P O that had the bike painted , also painted the carbs, the paint looks in great shape after many yrs. but they are SOOOOO UGLY, I'm Lucky I got a steal on a set of 29s to replace them, but I know I'll have a hard time getting rid of the blue carbs

Agree! I don't care for the look of painted carbs or painted bike engines. Black isn't bad, but other colors just don't look right to me. I suspect I'm not alone. Ed

650ed wrote: Agree! I don't care for the look of painted carbs or painted bike engines. Black isn't bad, but other colors just don't look right to me. I suspect I'm not alone. Ed

I think you might change your mind when you see what I have invisioned! But I understand it is not for everyone like belt drive alternators....lol

Cory

I just sprayed my cases with POR 15 engine paint, they claim it is fuel and oil resistant. They say to bush it on but I found it easier to reduce it and spray it.

What about gun kote? I heard of many people using it. They say it's easy to fix scratches with or some such. You paint and back and it's close to pc.
I'm not certain that pc is as good as all that now. Time will tell for my frame. carbs a different story but framewise the coating is so thick that my tank rubs on the frame now when installing it.

saxjonz wrote: What about gun kote? I heard of many people using it. They say it's easy to fix scratches with or some such. You paint and back and it's close to pc.
I'm not certain that pc is as good as all that now. Time will tell for my frame. carbs a different story but framewise the coating is so thick that my tank rubs on the frame now when installing it.

Wow Jon, they put that on thick! I have always PC'd my frames and brakets and never had an issue. I like my PC guy though. Obviously if there is over spray or a very tight tolerance, then sanding down of any coating will be required. I had to do this quite a bit on my SV build.

Cory

Agreed.
My gas tank is pc'ed, and I still have to be careful.
Don't get me wrong- pc is 10-20 times more durable than paint, but no finish is perfect.