David Floyd

I have read here that Easy Off oven cleaner was good to clean piston tops, but on the can is says not for aluminum ??

Just wanted to double check before I ^*%# up some pistons.

Any other cleaner solutions work well?

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Mike S

I just used carb cleaner and a brass brush. In between applications I would use a shop vac to suck up all the liquid crap that gets trapped along the side of the piston, above the rings. The brass isn't hard enough to scratch the cylinder walls....you can also use a toothbrush, but I found that to take a bit longer.

Bill

Heres how I cleaned my slugs:

Apply vasoline or wheel bearing grease to protect carbon from getting into the rings.

Use Castrol "super clean" or Mopar "cylinder spray" and a scotch brite pad to remove carbon.

Vacuum often to remove carbon.

When carbon has been removed, clean up cylinders with automotive cleaning solvent.

Finally, coat cylinders and pistons liberally with 30 weight oil.

H2Opumpr

I found that using a "greenie" was the least abrasive but most effective manner in which to remove the carbon.
Soaked the pistons in silicone sprays and solvents and slowly wore away at the carbon with heavy pressure.
The scotch pad wears quickly and sheds heavily gunking up the ring lands therefore, I would definately remove the rings.
It justy takes alot of elbow grease, and eventually most of it comes off.
I then had Swaintech coat the crown and skirts
good luck.

jdog

I don't know that I would reccomend using anything, but carb cleaner (a good strong one like K&W).The material from the scotch brite pads has been known to take out rod bearings and mains.
I have heard many horror stories about this.I manage a Napa auto Parts and I never recommend scoth brite or roloc discs to remove anything that may introduce such material into the lubrication of the engine.

I would spray carb cleaner on it let it soak for a bit, keep repeating until shiny new.I would then buy some cheap oil and a cheap filter, give it an oil change, run it for a bit then change oil agin with your favourite flavor and filter.This is cheap insurance to get all contaminants form the engine.
Just my 2 cents.
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nine-44

I used ATF and a brass brush. ATF has alot of antioxidatin addatives, I use it to wipe the cylinders clean when I build an engine. I pored it into the cylinders, let it sit overnite, in the morning the carbon was lifted like it was paint and paint stripper. Wiped it out and did a quick touch with the brass brush, looks perfect.

Mike B

I was lazy and bought new oversize pistons...OK, So I didn't have a choice but they were nice and clean!

Wachuko

What I did was to let them soak in gasoline and used a plastic mechanic brush to clean them. After that I used parts cleaner and one last clean with pressured air. Then soaked them in oil for installation.

Bri Bro

Brought them to my local machine shop and let them vat them, clean as they can be.

dmoffitt

i'd remove them... as people have said, cleaning them while in the block is a tad risky. i think it can't have helped my old bottom-end's rather abreviated lifespan

on a side note, about 25 mins, a bit of simplegreen, a shop rag, some mother's aluminum polish, and a honda piston out of a friend's blown up crx looks as shiny as new sitting on my desk as a paperweight