Restoring an intake

[BARN FIND]

What is the best way to restore an aluminum intake so it retains the original finish and texture?

[68z302]

This is probably one of the better ones.
http://www.z28camaro.com/restosvcs.html#AIM
I haven't seen one done but I've heard good things about it.
Does anyone know the "reskinning" process that's used by Jerry Macneish?
I do know that glass beading aluminum IMO doesn't look right

[budnate]

I have been wondering the same thing, I have a Z intake that is all grimy, there must be something we can blast them with that will clean them up but not alter the finish....??????.

Bud.

[68z302]

If corrosion isn't a problem could you use a steam cleaner?
I don't mean a pressure washer either but an actual steam cleaner.
There must be some type of cleaner around you could drop the intake into. There was a thick liquid carb cleaner that came in metal buckets you could drop a carb into but I can't remember the name.
Seemed to do a good job cleaning aluminum carbs.
If you had some new stuff it could clean a manifold?

[Salvatore]

Untouched intakes are great. If you need to clean one real good, I use my friends safety clean tub and a good strong brush for cleaning. If you need it re-skinned call Camaro High Performance, (Jerry MacNeish)Does very good work. sam

[Casey Marks]

* Soak / Scrub * cycle of the dishwasher.

Pressure wash first. Put in the dishwasher using the toughest setting. Make sure the Jet-Dry is full for no spotting ..... Once done, run it again empty.

All of this is of course, to be done, when the wife is out of the house for a few hours. It really does work good, I do it all the time with my aluminum W-31 Olds intake. Soon, the intake off of the Biscayne is gonna get "the treatment" ......

Disclaimer: I am by NO means responsible for any domestic disputes which result directly or indirectly from the use of the household dishwasher to clean parts.

[juliosz]

I was told by a respected member of the Corvette and Camaro communities that Jerry M uses a "tumbling" process with a proprietary media. All I know is my intake looks beautiful since Jerry did it and at a reasonable cost ($120.00 two years ago). If you check out his web site he also has pics of some of the aluminum repair jobs he has performed, some truly amazing.

[mssl72]

I had the intake on my Caprice put through the Vibratory process also. It came out looking NOS. I was very pleased. Now the only delema is whether or not to do the overspray when painting the engine. Jerry MacNeish restored my alternator and starter. He does great work. I've got a few carburetors for him to do in the near future.