How do you keep a aluminum intake clean?

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by GS4551970, Jun 3, 2003.

  1. GS4551970

    GS4551970 70 Buick GS 455

    I have a new aluminum intake and was wondering how to keep it clean. I painted both my b4b intakes. But would like to keep my new intake the nice aluminum look.Is there any way to keep them nice and new looking or should i just go ahead and paint the new one right from the start.
     
  2. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    There's a high-temp clearcoat, but I have seen it turn yellow.

    I left mine natural and the only time it gets looking bad is over the winter when the car isn't run often. I find that my intake doesn't really get dirty from day to day use, and only occasionally will I use a bit of steel wool to clean up a spot I smudge with grease or whatnot.

    Here's a pic from a couple years ago, the manifold looks exactly the same, on my daily driver
     

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  3. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

  4. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    :TU:

    That is real purty and pretty inexpensive. Seems like the way to go, for looks alone!
     
  5. GSThunder

    GSThunder Dejavu

    I can attest to how well Jim's process works. I had my SP-1 intake done about 1 1/2 yrs ago and it looks as good as when I put it on.......:TU:
     
  6. DRS4554

    DRS4554 Well-Known Member

    Fuel line

    I couldn't help but notice all that rubber fuel line. Man is that scary. You really should find another way to get the fuel to the carb. The less rubber line the better.
     
  7. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    Old photo, but thanks for the heads-up:beer
     
  8. DRS4554

    DRS4554 Well-Known Member

    That's good to hear. I'd hate to hear that your car went up in flames over something so easy to correct.:TU:
     
  9. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    :TU:
     
  10. skylark

    skylark Well-Known Member

    clear powdercoat.:)
     
  11. Buick_350X

    Buick_350X Guest

    Best time to get it coated is when its nice and new. I would go with a ceramic chrome coating.

    Matt :puzzled:
     
  12. GS4551970

    GS4551970 70 Buick GS 455

    Any idea on the cost of powder coating a intake?And where to get it done.
     
  13. OUTRAGEOUS

    OUTRAGEOUS Well-Known Member

    POWDER COATING

    I had my B4B powder coated a very close match to Buick Red for 75.00. I also had my Cool Runner intake ceramic coated with the shiny metallic finish for 125.00. Both have held up well. Randy
     
  14. OUTRAGEOUS

    OUTRAGEOUS Well-Known Member

    here is a pic

    Here is my Cool Runner ceramic coated. Randy
     

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  15. quickstage1

    quickstage1 Well-Known Member

    Jim W,
    What is the turn around time to get an Edelbrock intake and a water neck polished? My brother (DRS4554) had one done by you a while back and it looks great. I hope to be putting the motor back in the Conv. soon and would love to have this done.

    Thanks,
    Ken
     
  16. sbbuick

    sbbuick My driving scares people!

    OUTRAGEOUS,

    That is one sweet looking engine!

    Do you prefer the cool runner over the T/A single plane intake?

    I like the concept of that KB intake because of the extreme high rise design. Would you say that your intake is better in the upper RPM ranges than T/A's single plane?

    Do the spark plugs tend to look even? Or do you see some lean and rich cylinders?

    Sorry for all of the questions ;)


    Andrew
     
  17. Buick_350X

    Buick_350X Guest

    Chris,

    Problem is there is no good hi temp clear powder. If there was, I would have it. There is some good crystal clears out that will not yellow unless they see temps over 400f often.

    That could be what you really have.

    The B2B price Randy posted is a fair price for the work involved.
    I would quote ya close but cheaper on chrome ceramic depending on how much prep work. [But I have about 4-6 wek work load already. ] Every nick and cast mark will show through up close. Check out my projects.

    http://XVFinishes.com

    the headper pipes in black ceramic and my cam cover that I hand sanded for 3 days. I didn't want my cam cover looking like my header pipe up close. It looked fine before but aluminum bare hides everything. Once coated you notice every flaw in the surface. Cast marks in the corners, nicks, pits and vallys.


    Matt :puzzled:
     
  18. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Hey Matt,
    I just started doing some powder coating at home...just my own parts....Does the 'almost chrome' powder coat work well on intakes, and do you recommend clearing it for protection? I noticed when cleared, the 'chromes' brilliance is diminished, so I'd rather not clear it if possible.
    And is there a good match for the Buick red available? I usually buy from C.C.

    To stick with the thread....I clean my uncoated aluminum intakes with carb or brake cleaner. I've also painted one with a light coat of satin clear, with good results. Jet-Hot coating looks awesome, and is very durable. The 'almost chrome' powder coat looks similar, and can be done at home, but probably won't be as durable.
     
  19. Bile Bob

    Bile Bob Well-Known Member

    Looks good outrageous. Where did you get your intake manifold done at? Might do the same too mine.
     
  20. Nitro71455

    Nitro71455 Procharged 455 boost baby

    Andrew,

    I have run both intakes. In my book, the KB intake is better. The fuel distrabution out of the box is ALLOT more even than the SP1.

    While it looks more extream than the SP1, the hight is just about the same. TA has bought the mold from KB and will be remaking the intake. That should tell you something right there. If the SP1 was better, why would TA waste their time buying and making the KB CoolRunner (AKA SPX)?

    I've had serval intakes coated via HPC coatings for about 90.00 a wack. They have all held up very well. It's money well spent in my book.
     

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