how do you properly clean a spark plug . . . . i was playing with my carb a little today, and in the process fouled a plug. i took it out, sprayed it with some simple green, wipped it off as much as i could and put it back in. It started but died immediatly. So i took it out again, soaked it in some heavy duty degreaser, wipped it with a soft wire brush, dried it and put it in.. Doesn't fire at all. . . . . . how do you properly do it?.
It's not really worth reusing a plug. keep a few on hand and just use a new one. You don't want the cleaned one to get you half-way up a slick, muddy, rooty hill and then foul again.
Wire brush is the worse thing to do, it imbeds metallic paticles into the ceramic insulator, increasing its surface conductivity.
If your stuck, torch it, but best to Go New.
well.. . .i gave it one last try.. .. heated it up, soaked it in brake cleaner... started.. ..ran poorly for about 10 seconds and died.... . oh well, guess ill wait till tomorrow.
I have the same cleaner as mentioned above... mini sand blaster. Works very well, but never quite like new. Cleaned sparks plugs seem to work better for me in a four stroke engine... Still worth the investment if you already have an air compressor. I have had my plug cleaner for about ten years. Works as new.. :)