Ken,
I may have mentioned this at Charlie's fly-in, but here is another method. SOMEONE, (forgive me if it was on this list) suggested that I try Hobb's #9 gun cleaner from Walmart. Just soak the plug ends for a couple of hours, and the lead melts off. No need to blast with beads and rough up the insulator. The stuff only costs a couple of bucks. I have no hard data yet, but have cleaned some old plugs to try.
Bill Eslick
RV-6, 1988 13B, 340 Hrs.
www.weslick.com/RV6index.htm
I hate to admit it but I have ALOT of experience with this subject - can you say 2-stroke motorcycle in the early '70s. Here is what worked for me (in no particular order):
1. wash the plugs with spray brake cleaner (only worked for mildly fouled plugs)
2. wash the plugs with Easy Off oven cleaner ('borrowed' from my Mom's kitchen - I particularly liked this one)
3. heat the plugs with a propane torch to burn the deposits off; this had mixed results because I tended to overheat the plugs and destroyed them-worked good if done correctly)
4. bead blasting - quick and easy but scored the plug so they re-fouled' easily)
Bet Bill Jepson knows some real neat tricks because of his years in the motorcycle industry?
Ken Powell
Bryant, Arkansas
501-847-4721
RV-4