Technical Cleaning up an old intake

hambers,

what's the safest way to clean up this old intake manifold to factory finish (whatever that should be)? specifically what media should I use or method or whatever is the safest? it's been in my dad's shop since the '60s getting weathered. attached is a cool pic from some other person's vehicle - but I doubt that much polish would have been factory - maybe some of you can tell me?

gracias

 

Don't glassbead, as it will change the texture. Walnut shells or plastic media would probably be best.

 

I used sand in a blasting cabinet on my old Thickstun aluminum intake. It had been previously painted and the sand cleaned it up nicely. I am happy with the finish/texture.

 

Soda blasting is the way to go. Doing my SBC cross ram this way.

 

You might want to fix that missing stud first, depending on why it's missing, (ie., broken off, stripped threads, or just gone). You could polish the inside some if it's real rough and match the carb inlets to the proper gasket to make flow smoother.

If you use sand and stay far back with the nozzle it won't change the texture. Just be carefull to clean it well with soap and water when you are done.

If you leave it bare when you are done, it's going to look old again in no time once it has been running on an engine.

 

All the Thickstun manifolds were factory painted a deep red, heads and aircleaners too, I believe.

 

This is the way to go to keep the original texture.
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I've done several in a sand blast cabinet and they always come out great.

 

Soda or sand.

 

Soda, definitely.....

 

I've sandblasted at least 20 intakes in my sandblasting cabinet,,no problems with the texture. HRP

 

If you want to keep the "factory finish" I wouldn't blast it at all.........I have cleaned a few in the sink with dishwashing liquid and a tooth brush.