Best way to clean aluminum intake

[Tim S.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

I have had good luck by using a cleaner such as Simple Green and use it with a steam cleaner. The heat from the steam cleaner does a nice job of removing the stains yet does not attack the original finish on the intake. I also do the same process to aluminum valve covers. Brake cleaner works well too. The "old" brake cleaner is chlorinated. CRC still makes it. Red can p.n. 091314 or 5089.

Tim

[Brian K.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

My Favorite is using aluminum cleaner for wheels or trailers. I get it at my local trailer RV center, its concentrated and is cut with water. Leaves the aluminum with that washed look (light and dark swirls, like rye swirl bread). The longer you leave it on and how much you cut it changes how your aluminum looks, did a fuel injection unit with it and looked like one of Podells retored units.

[John D.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

Chris, Wow. Your intake is beautiful. If possible try and find out what chemicals they are using in their hot tank. Thanks, John

[John D.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

My Favorite is using aluminum cleaner for wheels or trailers. I get it at my local trailer RV center, its concentrated and is cut with water. Leaves the aluminum with that washed look (light and dark swirls, like rye swirl bread). The longer you leave it on and how much you cut it changes how your aluminum looks, did a fuel injection unit with it and looked like one of Podells retored units.

That's really funny.

[Chris E.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

Chris, Wow. Your intake is beautiful. If possible try and find out what chemicals they are using in their hot tank. Thanks, John

John,
I stand corrected. The engine shop bead blasted the aluminum intake on my 67 L79, and then "tumbled" it in tempered glass to help seal the aluminum. The shop said that the tumbling process will prevent oil and gas from penetrating the relatively porous aluminum and staining it.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[John D.]

Re: Best way to clean aluminum intake

Stu, As time goes on by we forget what the castings look like when they were new. I have seen many NOS aluminum intakes that were extremely shiney like a new Faberware pot.
As we strive to achieve the "green" effect more and more products we like are history. John D.