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Keeping aluminum intake looking new.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by voodoo1, Apr 14, 2013.

  1. voodoo1
    Joined: Jun 27, 2007
    Posts: 452

    voodoo1
    Member

    Whats the best way to keep a new or re-new aluminum intake manifolds looking new? Mike
     
  2. scibjenkins
    Joined: Jul 10, 2005
    Posts: 492

    scibjenkins
    Member

    I've used Simple Green to clean aluminum parts that had greasy hand prints and dust and dirt. But it was still fairly new (a few months old). Cleaned it right up and made it look fresh out of the box. But as far as anything real old, I would suggest maybe media blasting?
     
  3. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,727

    GassersGarage
    Member

    I use laquer thinner.
     
  4. Lemon pledge. Give it a good soaking then let it air dry for a few hours. Wipe it down. You'll have to repeat the process about once a year, but it will keep your intake in a condition that a quick rinse once in a while will keep it looking like new.
     

  5. black 62
    Joined: Jul 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,895

    black 62
    Member
    from arkansas

    regular power washes...
     
  6. swifty
    Joined: Dec 25, 2005
    Posts: 2,217

    swifty
    Member

    Jet-Hot coating. You can polish any fuel stains off and most will wipe off if you get to them quick enough.
     
  7. R Frederick
    Joined: Mar 30, 2009
    Posts: 2,658

    R Frederick
    Member
    from illinois

    I use MAC's aluminum cleaner from NAPA. It's basically Phosphoric acid that re-etches the aluminum. Looks brand new when done.
     
  8. mashed
    Joined: Oct 15, 2011
    Posts: 1,473

    mashed
    Member
    from 4077th

    Have it media blasted and clear powder coated. Or keep it on the shelf.
     
  9. Falcon Sprint
    Joined: Oct 1, 2012
    Posts: 203

    Falcon Sprint
    Member

    When I restored a set of aluminum valve covers, I media blasted them first and then coated them with fresh/new engine oil and let it soak in before wiping it off.
    Later, if it got dirty oil of them, it wouldn't soak in a leave a stain, it would wipe off.
    They looked great, looking new for several years until I sold the car.
    Sounds strange, but it worked better than any other method I've tried.
     
  10. Yeah,this works. HRP
     
  11. chubbie
    Joined: Jan 14, 2009
    Posts: 2,336

    chubbie
    Member


    I did several blast/clear powder coat, not good:(
     
  12. Oldstrk
    Joined: Jan 23, 2010
    Posts: 120

    Oldstrk
    Member

    Had my aluminum intake clear powder coated when new still looks new 4 years later
     
  13. Roger Walling
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,149

    Roger Walling
    Member

    Close the hood and drive it while you are working on the next project!
     
  14. greenone
    Joined: Feb 23, 2011
    Posts: 49

    greenone
    Member

    I had mine ceramic coated dull silver...looks just like brand new cast aluminum, and has been looking that way for 2 years and lots of driving. Fuel and other stains wipe off easily.
     
  15. hdman6465
    Joined: Jul 5, 2009
    Posts: 662

    hdman6465
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Media blast , then use Eastwoods Aluma Blast. This is the closest color I have found to keeping it look like it was never fooled with. Simple Green when it gets dirty.
     
  16. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    If you want to keep the raw cast aluminum look it will as you know be vulnerable to stains from a variety of things.

    A solution as mentioned is to have it powder coated, Eastwood sells a cast aluminum looking powdercoat.

    If the raw aluminum is what you prefer to keep, look up a product called Aluminum Jelly.

    It's a cleaner that will best keep your manifold looking new.

    Edit : By the way if you use any form of mechanical cleaning method like the next poster suggests - wire brush, say goodbye to the untouched raw aluminum look.

    You may as well have it powder coated in color.

    And I can't believe someone actually suggests WD40 as a cleaner :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2013
  17. no55mad
    Joined: Dec 15, 2006
    Posts: 1,956

    no55mad
    Member

    WD40 and a stainless steel wire brush (tooth brush size to get in the nooks and crannies).
     
  18. 4rod
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 806

    4rod
    Member

    as said, a good cleaning with an abrasive, I like WD40...with steel wool...seems to help sealing it as well...the PO had painted mine so I cleaned it up as good as I could and hit it with cast paint...media blasting would be the ticket to really clean out the pours though...

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2013
  19. goldtele
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 117

    goldtele
    Member

    I've had good luck having them sandblasted then clear coating them.
     
  20. Eslope T
    Joined: Sep 11, 2012
    Posts: 21

    Eslope T
    Member

    Try Meguiar's Hot Rims aluminum wheel cleaner. Spray it on, rinse it off with water. Remove a lot of gas stains.
     
  21. 39 Ford
    Joined: Jan 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,558

    39 Ford
    Member

    Painting with Aluma blast works just fine, I do all the underhood aluminum with it alternator etc. I do not do valve covers and air cleaners however.
     
  22. 340HilbornDuster
    Joined: Nov 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,985

    340HilbornDuster
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I used "Etching Mag Cleaner" - It works great!
    Labeled - Not recomended for painted or polished wheels!


    AVAILABLE?
    I haven't seen it in the store lately...maybe they discontinued it...?
    I have a stash at home though!

    SOON:
    To do it again (I'll be doing it shortly when the intake is out)
    I plan on removing all the stuff, injectors, sensors, hoses etc.
    .....It is etching!

    Aloha
    Tommy
     
  23. OLLIN
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 3,147

    OLLIN
    Member

    I've used oven cleaner from the .99 store. Works ok for cheap..
     
  24. Same thing as Eslpe T, I use eagle one mag and aluminum cleaner. Spray it on, rinse it off, easy! The only problem is then you have to clean the rest of the engine compartment.
     
  25. jjjmm56
    Joined: Feb 7, 2009
    Posts: 531

    jjjmm56
    Member
    from FL.

    when on the car I use contact cleeaner
     
  26. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    I also paint the aluminum with High temp engine paint...
     
  27. customrod48
    Joined: Oct 10, 2010
    Posts: 201

    customrod48
    Member

    a good cleaning, and a clear coat.........I have also painted silver and clear coated, made cleaning it later alot easier. Dirt and stains seem to not stick to the coated surface. Don't clean the clear coat with an agressive abrasive or it will scratch.......
     

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