Aluminum intake cleaning/refinishing

[69L78Post]

What are the best options for cleaning and refinishing an aluminum intake back to "like new" condition?

[Bill Rose]

Lacquer thinner is the best thing I've used. If the intake is off the engine, fill spray gun with the thinner, turn up the air, and spray it down hard. If it's on the engine, I put lacquer thinner on a rag and wipe it down.

[SuperNovaSS]

Many guys like oven cleaner for heavy cleaning and mag wheel cleaner for lighter cleaning. I use plastic media in a blast cabinet for original intakes that I don't want to mess up.

If I have a heavily stained intake I use plastic, followed by garnet, followed by glass shards, and finally glass beads.

I plan to do a tutorial with different techniques for this site soon.


Jason

[69L78Post]

Thanks guys.

[L78M22Rag]

I find that glass beaded aluminum leaves a bright-shiny etched look. Personally, I prefer the look of a tumbled intake with a clean but dull-smooth finish.

[AutumngoldL78]

I had mine put in a wheelabrator.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/01/full-13933-9232-my_intake_2.jpg

[AutumngoldL78]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/01/full-13933-9233-my_intake.jpg

[scuncio]

That's the way to go if you have access to the machine.

[COPO CARTEL]

Try Brake Cleaner

[SeattleCarGuy]

I glass bead blasted my 163 intake with very, very fine glass powder in my blast cabinet, but I must have had the air turned up too high as I caused some pitting in the aluminum. Any easy way to fill that? Or other suggestions?

[Mr. Chevy]

AlumiBlast paint works really nice if you choose to paint the intake.. It looks natural..

Rich

[marxjunk]

i like bake-abrade..machine shops that are equipped use it..if you get it when the beads are new..the intake will look NOS or close.

the part gets heated then microscopic stainless beads are shot at it under pressure...its an incredible finish..i dont think its right for a top level resto..but close...if they have used the beads for a long time, or dont keep the machine clean it will be dull..looks almost like magnesium..its imbedding dirt..

i had an intake done and it was red..my intake went in right after 3 sets of rusty exh...manifolds...it transferred the rust to my intake...sucked..never could get the red tinge off..

you wouldnt believe what it does for cast iron..its absolutely incredible...you have to look around but its getting more popular..with the ban on chemicals ets..cheap too..

[Scott69Z]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marxjunk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i like bake-abrade..machine shops that are equipped use it..if you get it when the beads are new..the intake will look NOS or close.

the part gets heated then microscopic stainless beads are shot at it under pressure...its an incredible finish..i dont think its right for a top level resto..but close...if they have used the beads for a long time, or dont keep the machine clean it will be dull..looks almost like magnesium..its imbedding dirt..

i had an intake done and it was red..my intake went in right after 3 sets of rusty exh...manifolds...it transferred the rust to my intake...sucked..never could get the red tinge off..

you wouldnt believe what it does for cast iron..its absolutely incredible...you have to look around but its getting more popular..with the ban on chemicals ets..cheap too..</div></div>

Sounds like a variation of shot blasting.

[marxjunk]

i agree..just not so harsh..i talked to my machinist today..i'm getting ready to send him a couple intakes..i'll post pics...

the cabinet heats the part to 300 degrees..and the shot is finer than sand and its round..and very expensive..i will get some pics if i can...very cool set up..i really like the finish it leaves...

[BJCHEV396]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lacquer thinner is the best thing I've used. If the intake is off the engine, fill spray gun with the thinner, turn up the air, and spray it down hard. If it's on the engine, I put lacquer thinner on a rag and wipe it down. </div></div>My aluminum intake was blasted clean and then sprayed with clear coat.Now has yellowed a bit.Think lacquer thinner on a rag will clean it up a bit?

[Bill Rose]

My guess is the clear tends to &quot;burn&quot;. Try the lacquer thinner on a rag, in a small spot, but don't expect much improvement in my opinion. Clearing an aluminum manifold is not the best way to go. You're better off with natural aluminum, and cleaning it once in a while with lac thinner.

[Salvatore]

Clean it with a stiff brush in a Safety Clean tank or I like to spray it to death with brake clean or carb clean. Lacquer thinner is good too. They are not really suppose to look to uniform or smooth. Just like the Z/28 valve covers, they should be dull and aluminum looking. I never bead blast or buy a blasted intake. I personally don't think they look right.

[67 Nova Boy]

X2 Sam...never blast a manifold. Brake clean or spirits to clean back to new.

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[Salvatore]

THAT is why you are going to be one of my head Instructors!