Hi guys, what tools do you use to smooth and polish alum? I may even paint it alum colour if anyone knows of such a paint? building a 383 stroker for a friend.
Duplicolor and VHT has a alu engine paint. use a engine paint primer 1st to get a better smooth surface..
Nope, Stop right there and work on your own stuff. Leave dem chebbys alone... Have your chebby buddy help you!
Flap wheels would be perfect to smooth that, but if you want to paint it, you would want to media blast it so it has some "footing" for the paint and less likely to flake, and it is pretty much there. Flap wheels in a drill for large accessible areas, and tiny Dremel flap wheels for the nooks and crannies. Everbrite (it's clear) is great for aluminum and you can easily strip and reapply using toluene, and then sponge brush, small paint brush or "dauber". Comes in matt, satin or gloss. (I like the satin as it looks like natural cast or blasted aluminum).
Vibratory polishing. It brings it to a chrome like finish and "work hardens" the metal to repel against oil, gas grease and grime. Very expensive procedure but it's the best way. Now the hard part is finding a company that does it. I was going to do all my parts but couldn't find some where that I trusted. JW does it but the shipping back and forth plus the cost with the currency exchange is what killed that option for me. I used VHT Cast Aluminum paint and it looks great! How long it's going to last, who knows?? As for putting a clear on after watch what you use as it will start to "yellow" over time with heat cycles. Some guys mentioned using a product called Shark Hyde or something? I think in my aluminum head thread it was discussed as I was contemplating which way to go myself. On a side note keep us updated on that stroker build
I have aluminum heads and use Everbrite with no yellowing more than 2 years. Eve if it did, toluene cuts it almost instantly, and you can apply a new coat. (I used toluene to remove some I applied to the gasket surfaces rather than masking as it was much quicker) The whole process can be redone easier than spray painting.
