cleaning aluminum intakes

[musclcar]

looking at my edelbrock TR1-X tunnel ram it's a dull spotted gray finish to it.i've heard of a few ways to clean them and they are: 1) bead blasting 2) spray on acid cleaner 3) easy off oven cleaner.i want to get that new intake look and try and keep it looking good.now to keep it looking good is there something like a clear coat or ?? that won't turn yellow or glossy.

[Bill Rose]

I sand blasted my intake with a cheap Sears blaster and it came out nice. I used fairly fine sand. I've also found the lacquer thinner is a good product to keep it clean when it's on the motor. I put lacquer thinner in a small spray bottle, spray it on and wipe the stains off with a clean rag..

[Bill Rose]

I sand blasted my intake with a cheap Sears blaster and it came out nice. I used fairly fine sand. I've also found that lacquer thinner is a good product to keep it clean when it's on the motor. I put lacquer thinner in a small spray bottle, spray it on and wipe the stains off with a clean rag..

I don't know if there is any clear that won't yellow.

[Salvatore]

I am not a fan of sandblasting aluminum intakes. I feel it ruins the original aluminum sheen. Like the valve covers clean them real good but not sandblasting. Call Jerry MacNeish, he will re-skin it for you. (Camaro High Performance) JMO Sam

[NCGuy68]

[ QUOTE ]
I am not a fan of sandblasting aluminum intakes. I feel it ruins the original aluminum sheen.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree 100%. I've tried a number of methods over the years and plastic media blasting works the best for a OEM finish. I then use "Nyalic" from Eastwood to keep it looking factory. Any other coatings will dull, chip, peel or yellow. I've gotten good results from this process.

A alternative is to have MacNeish 're-skin' it. Jerry does nice work, but you still are faced with preserving that finish.

[Belair62]

There is a process that machine shops use where they tumble the piece in something very mild...can't remember what the hell it is though.

[hvychev]

This is a good question for me too. I am going to do mine in the spring on my Deuce along with adding the correct valve covers, water pump, and other cosmetic corrections that need to be made.

Belair, do you know a good place around here that I can take mine to be done at?

[Belair62]

I'm pretty sure it was Fast Times in Morton Grove who I had mine done by...but it's been so long I can't remmber...try calling a machine shop and see if they know the process.

[musclcar]

so your saying a competant machine shop could clean the intake.the tunnel ram also has grease pen or paint pen swap meet prices on it.

[68l30]

I use this "tumble" process at work.It is in a vibratory machine that uses a media as a deburring/polishing agent when mixed with a H20 and oil as a lubricant.It does a good job but will leave a pattern type finish on your part and may also remove any grain on a intake.I use it mostly on hot rolled steel and stainless.It will work very well on aluminum depending on media type and duration of the cycle.I don't care for the finish on aluminum though.Very dull..


Steve