I'm probably going to be a minority of one on this issue. But I've probably done more carbs than most of you, Possible exception is Jerry. Rumors abound that he rebuilt the carb on the auxiliary engine on the Ark!
Personally quite happy that the old two-part hydroseal gunk is no longer with us. Yes, it did clean the carbs of grease, dirt, etc. It also removed the protective chromate coating that allowed deterioration of zinc alloy carbs, and it would attack the base metal on aluminum carbs. Many of the chemicals that we used to have, we are much better off without, especially in the hands on non-professionals. I almost lost a good friend that was too frugal to pay a professional to paint his Pierce-Arrow. I don't still remember how many weeks he was in the hospital, but that paint job was one of the most expensive on record!
We quit using the two-layer stuff decades before it was discontinued, simply because of the damage it caused.
For years, we would glass bead the castings, and then send them to various metal companies to have the correct finish reapplied. EXPENSIVE!
The real answer today is the ultrasonic cleaner and a really exotic chemical........................................................Dawn dishwater soap!
Run the ultrasonic wide open, and the heaters to about 180~185 degrees F. for about an hour. Sometimes takes more than one application after changing the water/Dawn solution.
And it will NOT remove the protective coating, so that does not have to be reapplied (unless it has previously been removed in the two-layer gunk!).
As Jerry mentioned, directed compressed air IN BOTH DIRECTIONS for all passage-ways while the casting is still hot from the ultrasonic. Remember goggles. Our maker did not give us two eyes using one as a spare! They work as a pair!
Never thought about guitar strings (but then I don't play the guitar). I have a set of orifice bits that I use for really stubborn passage-ways.
Jon.
