carb runs fine so i don't want to tear it down but the outside has been painted. paint remover brushed on, carb cleaner soak? not exactly sure how to approach this......

Spray carb cleaner should work fine or Easy Off oven cleaner

Easy off will do it but it sure is nasty stuff to work with & I'd avoid it if I could but it might take something that stout. I ain't an auto body guy so I have not dealt with that. Good luck with it Mike

You might try lacquer thinner on a rag + Q tips. Maybe a tooth brush also. That should take it off without affecting sensitive gaskets or seals. Spray on paint remover or gasket remover would certainly do it also but I'd be afraid it would soak into a gasket and mess the carb up... or just run it and be happy it works properly.

Strip it and dip it...

the mission was too NOT spend the money to tear it down.

thanks guys! i'll try all of the above with the oven cleaner being last.

Oven cleaner usually contains lye which can easily create spots or 'react' on/with aluminium.

Brake clean will sometimes work in the paint isn't baked on.

Gasoline.

try acetone

Spray on carb cleaner should do it..

thanks guys. i really appreciate the input. i'll start with the carb cleaner (i have it) and work my way through the suggestions. i think the carb cleaner will work with a little elbow grease. maybe the brake cleaner too but i think the paint might be to 'set' for that. the more aggressive suggestions i'll save for last!

when someone spray bombs a carb, most likely they get paint in all the little air passages for the carb.

tearing it down and soaking the body in a bucket of carb cleaner is the only way to get it done the right way.

If you want it done right you'll eventually strip it and dip it. If you find a better way I'm all ears. I might try and knock the heaviest bit of paint off before I contaminated by dip can with all that paint.

Coat it with brake fluid, let it sit for a while, spray it off with Chlorinated brake cleaner. Ever drip brake fluid on your fender? Ya...it eats paint. Chlorinated brake cleaner also eats it, so that should about do it.