94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

[Bob B.]

I just bought a nice original 94 LT-1 Convertible red/red 7,000 mile. Preparing it for flight judging, the aluminum intake plenum is now a dull gray, aluminum alternator case and engine controller look the same. I have rubbed with steel wool, semi-chrome and the blue paste, none look "RIGHT" How do I get these parts back to looking "AS DELIVERED" ?
Thanks, Bob
BTW NEED;285 40 17 GSC LEFT REAR TIRE- judging only and a set of OE 96 5 spoke wheels for driver

[David H.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

I just bought a nice original 94 LT-1 Convertible red/red 7,000 mile. Preparing it for flight judging, the aluminum intake plenum is now a dull gray, aluminum alternator case and engine controller look the same. I have rubbed with steel wool, semi-chrome and the blue paste, none look "RIGHT" How do I get these parts back to looking "AS DELIVERED" ?
Thanks, Bob
BTW NEED;285 40 17 GSC LEFT REAR TIRE- judging only and a set of OE 96 5 spoke wheels for driver

Bob

Be careful you're efforts are not trading Originality Points for Condition Points.

Your 7000 mile car could well be a Crossed Flags candidate. If so, prep like a Bowtie car e.i. very lightly.

Dave

[Bob B.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

David- Good point. I did some on line research yesterday on aluminum restoration and they all involve removing the plenum from the car and some sort of treatment. I do not want to remove the plenum, I think the condition deduct is something I am just going to live with and keep it original.AS-IS I have 95 ZR-1 serial #3, scored a 99.6 at Palm Springs Convention last year, That is the car for crossed flags. This 94 I bought to get judged once and drive. Summer only, a few hundred miles a year, sunny days , Tennessee back roads only- can you say Tail of the dragon is 50 miles from me ? The 94 has original wheels and I have found 3 original GSC tires, just need a driver rear and that set will be show only. Trying to find a good set of 96 Collector or GS wheels for driving. And want that all elusive original battery- THANKS, Bob

[Ed N.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

I have a NOS intake plenum.

[Chris S.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

Have it vapor honed - it will return the alum to as cast condition - I vapor hone all my alum !

[Bob B.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

Have it vapor honed - it will return the alum to as cast condition - I vapor hone all my alum !

I have never heard of vapor honing, is it done on the car or off ? I really dont want to take intake off car/ THANKS Bob

[Bob B.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

I just did a little search on the internet re vapor honing- very interesting. Appears it must be done off the car, but sure looks like it does a good job without the damage of other media. I have seen ice blasting, usually on the underside of Porsche
cars, very effective and sure looks good in photos of cars for sale. I wonder, surely somebody has tried this on a corvette,
might be a bit too rough on fiberglass... Anybody tried it ?

At $5,000 or so any good restoration shop would have one of these ice/vapor cleaners.

[Chris S.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

https://www.surfacerefinishingtechnology.com/

Here is who does all my vapor honing - He also does Kevin MacKay
I do ALL my metal and alum parts with him
I have not tried it on fiberglass
I have many photos of valve covers and intakes that look brand news with out damaging the metal

[Michael M.]

Re: 94 aluminum intake plenum how to restore silver?

Vapor honing or vapor blasting produces the best results for aluminum. If you do not want to remove the intake there are other methods to restore the aluminum. Search this site and you will find a few suggestions.