Aluminum Intake Restoration

[Floyd B.]

I was fortunate enough to find numbers matching carburetor and intake manifold for my recently acquired L36. The carb is being restored as we speak. what is the "best" way to recondition the aluminum intake without loosing that factory mold patina? I don't want to use an impact (e.g. soda blasting) or abrasive method (e.g. aluminum polish).

[Dick W.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Best way is to send it to John DeGregory, a frequent poster here. If not him, Jerry McNeish. You can contact John thru the members list here and you can Google McNeish.

[Joe R.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Dick,

Here's Jerry's web site:

http://www.z28camaro.com/

Joe

[Ron G.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

I have had very good results with a combination media blast of glass/plastic together. I use a guy in Connecticut and the results come out looking like it is new. Not oversrored and not under restored. Just the way it should. Would be happy to discuss it with you. Thanks.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

I appreciate all of the suggestions and have added them to my "Corvette Contacts" list. However, I'm looking for the DIY solution. The intake is in good condition overall but the surface has grim, smudges and oxidation one would expect of a 40+ year old automobile part.

Many people might say that I'm full of cr@p but to my eye aluminum castings fresh from the mold have a special patina that is hard to describe. They somehow refract light differently - with a satin-like ghoulish glow that makes them look like they just reentered the atmosphere from outer space. It just seems like any media blasting or abrasive techniques I've seen remove that patina and there is no way to get it back.

While it is very possible (or even likely) that the oxidation is what destroys the patina, I was still hoping that there is a chemical solution that removes the foreign material from the surface without disturbing the patina.

Thanx

[Terry D.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Try searching the archives, DIY methods have been discussed many times before.
Terry

[Don H.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Floyd-
go to hardware store and get Aluminum Naval Jelly by Loctite.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_trmt_alum/overview/Loctite-Aluminum-Jelly.htm

this is the DIY treatment you are thinking of. You paint it on, let it set, perhaps scrub a little with a stiff plastic brush, then wash off. Cleaned the grunge off my manifold, and brightened it up like new. You will like what you see.

gotta add for Jack P. -
Mine still looks new about 2000 miles later.... and I was going to leave you alone re. your car running wild through the fields, but now you went and kicked me. We love our cars as we love our dogs, but our cars are not dogs. You can keep your car locked in the garage for months, or for ever, and it will be just fine. Remember, they are just cars, not dogs...

[Floyd B.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Floyd-
go to hardware store and get Aluminum Naval Jelly by Loctite.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_trmt_alum/overview/Loctite-Aluminum-Jelly.htm

this is the DIY treatment you are thinking of. You paint it on, let it set, perhaps scrub a little with a stuff plastic brush, then wash off. Cleaned the grunge off my manifold, and brightened it up like new. You will like what you see.

Thanx Don. I'll give it a try on the intake's underbelly.

[Jack P.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

Way to go Don.........keep chasing those points...........can you trade them in for a toaster or bottles of bourbon?

Hope you have fun in Fla. watch out for Frankie..........seems like we all are guilty of being ......well.....kids....

I would not mind a little SoCa sun right about now

Jack

ps I have used the naval gel on my ............................intake.........looked great...until I drove the car for few miles................

With all the driving you are doing, you may need a new set of tires............or butt........

[Paul J.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Restoration

...aluminum castings fresh from the mold have a special patina that is hard to describe. They somehow refract light differently - with a satin-like ghoulish glow that makes them look like they just reentered the atmosphere from outer space. It just seems like any media blasting or abrasive techniques I've seen remove that patina and there is no way to get it back.

You're talking about the "skin" that is part of the outside of aluminum castings. I don't whether it's just a denser layer because of the quick cooling as the molten aluminmum hits the mold, or if it's a diferent alignment of the molecules. Abrasives will remove it, although in the archives there are those who say they can abrasively clean it without damaging it.

Some of the smudges and dirt are stains that have soaked into the skin. Go ahead and try to chemically remove them, but I ended up sending my stuff to John DeGregory.

Paul