Aluminum Intake

[corporate Jet]

Over the winter, my aluminum intake was subjected to moisture. It has a coating of wt. powder and has left the finish a dull blochy grey. Is there anything I can do to restore the original finish?
losacco@midohio.net

[squirt]

You can take it off and bead blast it if it is not a polished manifold and it will look like brand new! If it's polished just rub,rub,rub,rub, and rub, somemore. You may want to look into a clear powder coat for it.

[Wet Dream]

Sounds like its polished. Mine had the same thing. That white stuff is mold. Just get out your favorite aluminum polish and a big can of elbow grease and get to work.

[jroos]

Well, its not mold. The white powder is actually calcium. My advice is to send it out, have it polished, and make damn sure you have it clear coated. If you don`t get it shot with clear, then polishing will become your second job.

[Wet Dream]

Ok, my bad. Would you recommend a rattle can type clearcoat?

[spectras only]

Unless you really like your manifold being shiny and keep maintaining it,I would recommend to powdercoat it to the colour of your choice.

[Taylorman]

Mine looked like s--t when I bought it. I powdercoated the intake and valve covers. Now, they are no maintenance. Just a quick wipe off to get off the water spots.
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/Dcp_0032.JPG
http://free.***boat.net/gallery/Reader_Rides/Jet_Boats/Dcp_0031.JPG

[mister460]

Huh huh, he said "get off"!

[GM Killer]

My advice is NOT to clearcloat it. Once you do it gains a yellowish tint to it after some time in the sun. If you polish it, put a coat of Turtle Wax on it. It will keep its shine longer and ease on the polishing required later. Or two other options are to have it chromed or powdercoated. I did one in black once and loved it.
Trust me on the Turtle Wax, if you see my boat "Sexclamation" under the topic "Post a Pic", you will see my pump, that is polished, not chrome. Unwaxed the polish will fade in about 2 hours at the river, waxed it will take a mild cleaning after to days in the water http://www.jetheaven.com/photopost/data/60sexclamation3.jpg
[This message has been edited by GM Killer (edited April 26, 2002).]

[DickDanger]

Taylor, you have the same friggin air cleaner that I do..weird, I have never even seen another like it. I took mine in and had it chromed though. Late...-DD out

[spectras only]

DD ,there were thousands of those in the seventies.Now they aren't coast guard approved ,hence the rarity I guess.