best treatment/finish for a gas resistant aluminum intake.

[prostreetC-10]

Made good progress on my roller cam upgrade last night. Was looking at the intake that I just cleaned and painted a few months ago. Beause this is the motor I test certain Holley carbs on, it is constantly getting a little gas spilled on it. Almost can't help with as many carb changes as I do. i was thinking about refinishing it with something that would hold up better to the staining effects of gas. I had an intake that I blasted then clear cloated but the gas discolored the clear. Was wondering if I'm better off just the go bare aluminum or maybe a powdercoat? A thought also came to mind that there is a local shop that can ceramic coat anything. Probably not cheap but if it holds up, it would be worth it. Any protectly coatings out there that I am not aware of? Thanks guys!

[jocko]

Bare aluminum is about the easiest thing to get dirty I've ever seen, mine get stained when I look at them sideaways it seems. Best finish I ever had on an aluminum intake (and I was wanting it to look like an original OEM GM aluminum intake) was to send it to Lamar Walden in Doraville GA - he has a big ol tumbler thingy where he adjusts the cast alum finish to where it's much smoother (uses walnut shells I think, in the tumbler) - still looks like cast aluminum but the "sharpness" is gone - and you can wipe most things off of it.

This was on a restored big block impala, so I was a little persnickity about the finish - wanted the oem texture. It was an edelbrock perf 2-0 for the 396 with the "Edelbrock" ground off.

If you don't care if it looks like aluminum - then PC is probably your best bet. If you like shiny - I THINK edlebrock will endurashine your manifold for a fee (probably not cheap, but you can wipe anything off of it easily). I think the ceramic coat would work well also, but yes $$$$

[1968SWBBigBlock]

Ceramic is the way to fly - I think my intake is 4 or 5 years old and not the 1st sign of discoloring. The only thing I would change is I would have buffed/deburred the intake - it would have allowed for more of a "Polished" look.
I used astetic finishers in Piqua Ohio - I know thats a haul for you but these guys are all hot rodders and have 1st rate equipment - the even do headers for 1 or 2 of the medium size header companys.
The other benefit is lower intake temps - they coat the bottom which acts as an insualtor and reflector

[prostreetC-10]

It's on this motor below. Not at all wanting a buffed or shiny finish. It's kind of a race car theme so I actually like the satin/no frills looks. I love the non-polished look of the blowers on old race cars and the sheet metal intakes when they have been around for awhile. I think I will first look into the ceramic since they are just up the street and see if I can keep my shorts clean when they tell me the cost!

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by 1968SWBBigBlock

Ceramic is the way to fly - I think my intake is 4 or 5 years old and not the 1st sign of discoloring. The only thing I would change is I would have buffed/deburred the intake - it would have allowed for more of a "Polished" look.
I used astetic finishers in Piqua Ohio - I know thats a haul for you but these guys are all hot rodders and have 1st rate equipment - the even do headers for 1 or 2 of the medium size header companys.
The other benefit is lower intake temps - they coat the bottom which acts as an insualtor and reflector

Do you have a picture that you can post?

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

Do you have a picture that you can post?

Why didn't I think of that! Yes......post 'er up!

[jocko]

here's the exact same manifold as yours (recall the "Edelbrock" was ground off before the process was done) - after the lamar walden treatment. Doesn't look much different - but it's a good bit smoother than aftermarket alum manifolds.

[prostreetC-10]

Intake aside......that's a good looking motor.

[jocko]

thanks prostreet - wish I still had it and the car it was in! THat was the first of 2 big block imps. I miss them, but I'm afraid the truck bug will never fade. Always had one to chase parts, I guess the economy is making me combine parts chasing with what I'm actually chasing them for!

[1968SWBBigBlock]

011 - YouTube

Here is a link to a youtube video I shot about 6 weeks ago or so

[mud.man.rj]

I like the painted valve covers, I did mine and pulled the chrome look of the past for a more factory look.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...j/DSCF8089.jpg

[prostreetC-10]

Oh man....that is nice. Since I think that your truck is incapable of doing a burnout, I would love to see proof that it will rotate dem tars!!!!! ;o)

I don't want you to think I'll callin' you out but the lid to my BBQ it off and I need some CHARCOAL!!!! LOL

[cdowns]

i've had ceamic done on a few over the years it holds up well

this was the last one i did a few years ago

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i've had ceamic done on a few over the years it holds up well

this was the last one i did a few years ago

I'm assuming you can just take a used intake and they'll prep it so the ceramic coating will stick?

[1968SWBBigBlock]

I'm assuming you can just take a used intake and they'll prep it so the ceramic coating will stick?

Check with the finisher that you elect to use - Astetic Finishers preps everything prior to coating - both inside and outside

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

I'm assuming you can just take a used intake and they'll prep it so the ceramic coating will stick?

yes you can they will prep it for the coating// i've always done as much as i could as far as blasting and cleaning and doing all my grinding port matching etc b4 dropping it off i think all the work i did saved me about 75cents on the total bill for each manifold

[prostreetC-10]

I do know when I looked into this a few years ago, the guy took me out back (outside) where they had a couple of gun barrels hanging on a fence. They leave them there year round. It was very impressive how bad the rest of the untreated action looked but the portion that was ceramic coated was still in great shape. Excellent selling visual. The said they can just about ceramic coat anything. I'm not even sure if it is just limited to metal.

[mbgmike]

These guys. best in the industry
they have a location in california you can send it to.

http://www.zircotec.com/page/home/1

[chevytruckluver]

another option is to clear powder coat.
To prep I would glass bead it.

[ProStreet68SB]

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

another option is to clear powder coat.
To prep I would glass bead it.

Gas stains powder coating yellow

[chevytruckluver]

Originally Posted by ProStreet68SB

Gas stains powder coating yellow

That's not been my experience, any gas, oil, or antifreeze wipes right off with only a quick wipe.