NEED TO CLEAN MY ALUMINIUM INTAKE

[Jerry@CHP]

The media used in the tumbler takes time to figure out. Dozens of different cermaic media to pick from. Also the cycle time on how long its tumbled is important or your part will come out looking like chrome. And if not carefull, you can remove the numbers and logos.

Took me about 3-4 months to break the code on doing them correctly. What's nice when the parts are done, is they won't look dirty again, dust and dirt don't stick to parts as it would when glass beading and you just wipe it down with a paper towel and brake clean. Low maintanance.

Jerry

[BJCHEV396]

Again thanks for all the input.That's what makes this site so good and informative.And if you 've noticed I have my Caps Lock off.Some members got their underwear in a knot over it.

[RamAirDave]

[ QUOTE ]
I glass bead my aluminum parts and then I lightly buff them with #0000 steel wool.
Looks great and won't get dirty as fast as just plain glass beading them.
If you do get grease.oil or fuel stains on them it will clean up nicely using carb cleaner or brake clean as stated before.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's been my experience as well. Low psi bead blast (30-35 siphon, which wont even harm your hand) , followed with a fine steel wool. Looks really good, takes maybe an hour.

Ive read many times on the various boards that bead blasting an intake will make one more susceptible to staining. Maybe it's in incorrect application (media, too much psi, I don't know?), because all of the ones I've done clean up very easily. And not just cleaning up fresh leaks/spills, but even after some time and after being heat-cycled a few times, a quick wipe with wax/grease/silicone remover cleans it right up.

Not saying it'll look exactly like tumbled/skinned, but for those "how to" guys, you can get pretty good results:

[BJCHEV396]

Hey Dave,thanks for taking the time posting the info and great pics.I appreciate it.Bill.

[m22mike]

Dave

Thanks for that post. I have done a few just like this,does not harm the original texture much, and for whatever reason I use WD 40 with the 0000 wool rubdown. Then a real hot bath in soap and water and I am done. Later clean up with a short china bristle brush and WD 40 and alot of this....
I think this process would stand up to any in a blind test.

Mike

[BJCHEV396]

Thanks a bunch Mike!

[CamarosRus]

I'm thinking about buying a (used) commercial vibratory tumbler, like Mr. McNeish uses to attain the "look" many people think is so great.

Curious if other restorers at this site own their own large machines.

If after I show some results, might I be able to clean, tumble, restore misc alum manifolds, valve covers and cases for others at a "reasonable" price ????

I'm not a fan of glass beading aluminum and calling that restored. IMHO its not the correct "new look"

[Salvatore]

NOT a fan of glass beading intakes either. Real tough to find one in its natural state anymore.

[SSRSBOB]

Charlie Braxton had one for sale in Hemmings, $4500.00 OBO

Bob

[VintageMusclecar]

Chuck;

If you're serious about getting a tumbler, give me a call, I have a very good resource.

Eric