Cleaning Spark plugs

[wwheeler]

In light on the new info about NGK dropping their line of resistor plugs, I was curious how to revive fouled spark plugs. I have some that were fouled but are relatively new plugs. At the time, plugs were cheap and easier to drop in clean ones. Many years ago I would have foolishly glass beaded the plugs but have since determined that you never get rid of all of the media up inside the plug. Then that media can drop into the cylinders. So what is the best way?
 

[col320ce]

I vote for hitting them with a blow torch until they are super hot to burn everything off.  I dropped new ones in on the weekend as there was a missfire ... just a dirty plug. My propane gas torch was empty so I used new plugs but the set I took out are basically new so I will revive them.

[mdsalemi]

There are a number of cleaners specific to cleaning spark plugs; they are self contained blasters. There is also some blast media specific to cleaning plugs. A fine wire brush and some carb/brake cleaner works wonders, and a high pressure blast of such fluid followed by high pressure air blast should remove all traces of media.

If you think you cannot remove the media in these methods, then try the finest walnut shell media you can find, OR soda blast media. The latter will dissolve in water, the former will not be an issue if traces remain.

[wwheeler]

Ok and thanks. I had forgotten about the walnut shells and I have that available. The other methods should work as well.

[hansr433]

I vote for hitting them with a blow torch until they are super hot to burn everything off.  I dropped new ones in on the weekend as there was a missfire ... just a dirty plug. My propane gas torch was empty so I used new plugs but the set I took out are basically new so I will revive them.

Last year we hosted the BMW Grand Tour, escorted by BMW Classic Factory techs, and this is what they did to revive a 503 engine that was having issues.