mini-soda blaster -- Safe for external parts/engine use?

Read about the "mini-soda blaster" here http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... art=0.html and http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-t ... a_blaster/

I was wondering if it would be safe to use this externally on the actual engine or other external parts that wouldn't be removed right away - Mostly to degrease/degrime/descale a bit faster - And then just hose it off?

This is assuming I don't get any into the air in take (original).

Anything wrong with this crazy idea?

 

take a look over here
i tried the borax and it's a little faster than regular baking soda but maybe not as fast as real blasting soda, haven't tried it yet

 

But can borax be washed away as easily?

EDIT: Found my answer - Yes
I'm gonna look for one of those cheap blasting guns and the big bag of stuff that other forum suggested or just the borax from grocery store.

I'm actually considering long term - Dull aluminum and semi gloss or flat black over all - So depending on how clean I get parts over time, this might help out alot.

I also remember I have a hand held steam cleaner that is currently collecting dust.

 

You're going to want to try to tape of the areas that you don't want soda in. IE the fuse block and TCI area. I did one side of my engine and thought I was very careful about it but found soda caked everywhere it shouldn't be! Maybe blowing the excess of before rinsing?

 

I got a cheap one and just used it on my carbs so far. Did a heck of a job but it don't rinse easy. Small corners and such had to be picked out. Did it outside.....it goes EVERYWHERE! Can't reuse it either, if you had some kind of cabinet...

skillet

 

The post I read said dunk your part in warm water a few times to get ride of the soda... Then blow dry with your air gun etc...

I'm definitely interested for my carbs, since I'm thinking of a dull aluminum look in the end.

 

I use soda in my sandblaster, but NEVER on the bike. Way too much of a chance of it getting somewhere naughty. Remember, it IS a grit.

With parts OFF the bike, it's way cool, just be sure to wear a proper particle filter mask, etc. I DIY soda-blasted some of the petcock parts I used in the rebuild article.

Spray any metal parts you wash with water down with WD40 THEN dry them. WD=Water displacement. The only thing it's good for.

 

I'll probably start with valve cover and carbs anyways

 

Actually pretty decent de-greaser as well... even on fabric.....