How to "clean" an Aluminum Intake?

[TobyArnot]

I'm about to tear into my engine bay to install a serpentine belt set-up and I would like to do a little clean-up on the Edelbrock manifold already in place. Any suggestion how to get some of the oil stains off the surface? I'm thinking I might shoot some "brake-clean" on it or maybe some "Dawn and white vinegar mix". Any other tips? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Fldawg]

if you can get your hands on some simple green aircraft cleaner that stuff works great, i cleaned my engine after the truck came from the paint shop and it did't hurt the new paint. just spayed it on and hosed it off

[oldblue1968chevy]

purple power simple green.

Or some aluminum cleaner even. I would clear it or paint it afterwards though

[trucks72]

Sand blast them with baking soda. Doesnot eat into them. Makes the look like new.

[TobyArnot]

I've found some Simple Green Aircraft cleaner on line and it's on the way.

Sand blast them with baking soda. Does not eat into them. Makes the look like new

I'm not going to pull the intake, so blasting is not an option.
Thanks guys for the input!

[72 Sierra]

I just did this..Got some purple power degreaser and mothers aluminum mag cleaner.also some wire detail brushes.from auto zone. clean with degreaser first then mothers cleaner.use detail brushes to get off stubborn stuff.also a lot of towels you will need them.turned out good.my intake was on the motor to.

[Madtat]

Originally Posted by trucks72

sand blast them with baking soda. Doesnot eat into them. Makes the look like new.

^^^x2

[Fldawg]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

purple power simple green.

Or some aluminum cleaner even. I would clear it or paint it afterwards though

don't mean to step on toes but most intakes I've seen cleared turn yellow and it doesn't take long

[Daubs]

Previous owner painted my Edelbrock Aluminum intake. I wire wheeled it, then cleaned up with thinner...then sprayed aluminum rattle can engine paint. It's held up well for 4+ years.

[Daner]

If you ever take it off a pressure washer with a boiler on it works great.

[StingRay]

Blast with glass bead if you have it off. It will look like it came out of the box.

[Rufton]

I don't like clear either. If intake has a hint of a leak I'd pull and media blast w/ glass bead (as mentioned). I've tried acid bright, etc. but not muck luck. Glass bead was fast and easy except you may need better excuse to pull it. Does anyone have pics of Aluminum cleaned w/ chemical?

Below is pic of stained intake after glass bead blast.

[Tinkermc]

Glass bead blast cabinet will leave it like brank new.

[GRX]

Remember, cast aluminum is porous. If the intake was installed bare (no paint etc) and is really greasy & oily you had better be darn sure you get ALL of that out of the metal or you'll be hard pressed to get paint to stick for any amount of time. De-greasing & glass beading is a good start. Then bake in an oven to remove all moisture. Paint with hi-temp of your choice, let dry for a short time, then cure in a 450 degree oven for 6 hours so the paint can "soak in" as it were. I have done many intakes that way. The Edelbrock on my GTO still looks great over 20 years later.

[gotchamel]

Zep makes a product for aluminium called Zepalume.I have used it alot just not on an intake manifold.It is an acid based cleaner.

[special-K]

Powdercoat with stainless exhaust coating and forget about it.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Not stepping on toes here. I just know that if gas leaks on it it stains and almost soaks in

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Not stepping on toes here. I just know that if gas leaks on it it stains and almost soaks in

Stains the powder coat also?

[solidaxel]

Watching this one !
Watch the brake clean around rubber seals!

[74baggedbug]

Just got some simple green extreme aircraft cleaner but won't be able to try it till Sunday evening when I get off work.. Ill let you know the results
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[special-K]

How does cast wheel cleaner work? How about vinegar?

[skorpioskorpio]

A good trick from the bike restorer world where lots of the exposed bits are cast aluminum. get a big bucket of Pine-sol and let it soak for a couple days, it will take all the staining out. I does not remove any corrosion, but it does lift those stains that soak in out.