[john65ss]

I tried the alodine process recently. I had a carb that was in decent shape and soaked it in PPG DX533 aluminum etch solution for 15 minutes or so to clean up the "fuzzies" from the few corroded areas. I did not leave it in long enough to remove the factory zinc dichromate. I then soaked in a DX503 / water mix for 20 minutes or so. Seemed to throw down a light gold tint on the areas where the DX533 removed minor corrosion. Not show quality, but I figured it *may* offer some protection against future corrosion.

Carbs are not 100% zinc, but a Zamac zinc/aluminum alloy. Alodine will tint the carb a bit, but don't expect show quality. Do some searching on www.jalopyjournal.com forum on "alodine" and "carb" for some examples of how the finish looks. I used a relatively weak solution of DX503, so the areas of my parts that were bare never got anymore than a LIGHT gold tint.

Overall the whole process seemed to brighten the appearance of the carb, but I would not do it if you plan on blasting first. Mine would not have came out well if there was no factory zinc dichromate on the carb.

[mrtonegto]

Thanks for sharing that info John, hope the finish holds up for you.

I'm afraid of doing harm to my carbs - they're all originals - so I saving up the bucks to get them dichromated by Cliff R.

[sixt8bird]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

You looked at the inside of those carbs lately?

Tom V.

I never polished the insides. So I guess I would see what other carbs would look like. Like they say, beauty is only skin deep, even with my Tri power.

[Tom Vaught]

I can tell you that after glass beading zinc and then not replating the inside, (he originally plated everything then restripped the inside), a friend's carbs had a lot of damage on the inside from water attacking the zinc material. He was able to restrip the carbs a final time and replate inside and outside and save the carbs. Your choice.

Tom V.

[sixxty7]

is the eastwood dye appear factory correct? seems kind of dark to me. also, how does it hold up? i know its cheaper than plating, but you get pay for.

[steve]

ive seen the "spray can" eastwood stuff but how about this ??? anyone try this yet or is that what you are talking about when you say "eastwood finish" ???

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...88&iSubCat=804

[mrtonegto]

No, that's powder coating.

This is what I have been referring to as "Eastwood finish":

http://www.eastwoodco.com/images/us/...tail/p6647.jpg

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by mrtonegto

No, that's powder coating.

This is what I have been referring to as "Eastwood finish":

http://www.eastwoodco.com/images/us/...tail/p6647.jpg

That's all I used, just a few very light coats.