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DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: txleadfoot on July 04, 2008, 06:24:42 PM

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: txleadfoot on July 04, 2008, 06:24:42 PM

Has anyone here polished the outside of their intake manifold, valve cover, or timing case?  I'll have the engine out soon and was wondering if it would be worthwhile.  My only worry is corrosion.  I'd love to see photos.

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: nickmpower on July 04, 2008, 06:37:01 PM

the surfaces are too rough for a a easy good polish. A lot of people paint them and it looks great though. you can then sand the fins

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: bmwman91 on July 04, 2008, 09:07:58 PM

It would be a real pain, but a 5" high speed random-orbital sander would do well.  Of course, you would have a lot of touching up to do by hand.  Painting it with some crinkle-paint is a lot easier lol.

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: ak96ss on July 04, 2008, 09:54:11 PM

Polished the timing case and the thermostat cover when I did the timing chain - not worth the effort unless you will be covering it with clear coat or Zoop or some such thing - they will start corroding almost immediately and you can't really see them too well. Paint or powder coat is the way to go if you plan on ever doing any actual driving in the car, rather than polishing it all the time...

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: kenika65 on July 05, 2008, 01:17:50 PM

sand blast it then clear it.

Title: Polished Cast Aluminum
Post by: txleadfoot on July 06, 2008, 10:57:38 PM

thanks guys.  sounds like too much hassle to polish.