Cleaning Spark Plugs?
 

I have a set of fouled plugs, At $20 a set I really dont want to just throw them away. Could I clean them with a sand blaster? would this get the back close to new?


Thanks

You can, but the porclien I believe fractures as they age and can fall into the running engine possibly damaging something, and sand being pelted over that surface is not good either. I would prefer to not use.

I rub them on a wire brush to get the carbon black off, you can run the wires up into the crevice and it doesn't hurt the porcelain. Then use gas to wash away oils and touch up the contacts a bit with some fine sand paper. At $20 a set, those plugs are a bargain if they are the NKGs.

Ray

Yeah, wire wheel or wire brush is all I ever use.

I use media instead of sand and it works great. I do it everyday and have never had a problem. (Everyday on airplane sparkplugs)

Yea, aluminum oxide works great. You can buy a cheapie 12V setup from JC Whitney. More than pays for itself over the long run. Less than $10 IIRC.

Thanks guys, I will try the JC Whitney Route. Where is a good place to get the aluminum oxide media?

paint thinner and/or gasoline + steel wire/brush works

If you have the ability to clean the center electrode with media, it will reduce the chance of sparks jumping down through the carbon buildup on the porcelain. Since I don't have access to a media blaster, all I use is a wire brush or wheel and maybe some carb or brake cleaner, or gas. It works fine since I don't have a pig-rich running condition.