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| Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners http://www.ccfbg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12154 |
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
I am polishing a plenum and runners and I was wondering if there was something you can use to retain the shine such as a clear coat. I saw at CT a can of VHT hight heat clear. It says it can be used on intakes, rims etc. Has anyone used this before? Any other ideas? Before pic  And after....  
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| Author: | wheelman [ Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
I tried that on my aluminum rims years ago, but found it had a bit of a yellowish tinge to it, so I scraped it off the bare aluminum. It may be better now, but I would test it first on some white paper at the store. Highly polished aluminum maintains it's shine quite well. That intake looks great. Is that auto part I see on the dining room table? Must have been to Niagara Casino lately. 
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| Author: | FOWL PLAY [ Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
I agree, that stuff yellows...just keep a little metal polish around and give it a little rub when the shine needs a little go over |
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Starting to look a bit better, I still need to do a little more work on the left runner, but it is coming along pretty good.   
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| Author: | flame [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Looks good Kevin! You should let everyone know the products you used in case they want to do it too. I don't think I can ge the LS1 intake to shine though LOL!! |
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| Author: | lb9 GTA [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
I was just about to ask that. It looks really good. Are you doing a Corvette plenum extention too? |
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| Author: | juice [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
i thought there was some stuff called zoop seal....could be mistaken though not sure how it works with heat though 
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
All I can say is that it is alot of work and patience. I started by sanding the cast down starting with 80 grit flap wheels then 120, and then 180. I started wet sanding with 320, 400, 600 and finally 1500. Wet sanding is the most important stages as it will keep the paper from buiding up and scratching the surface. After that, it is buffing wheels and compunds. I used black (emery) , grey (mid), white (finishing) and then red (jewelers rouge) Between each step I clean it up with Mothers Aluminum polish. If you have air, it works so much faster and generates heat which makes the shine come up. A dremel is a very useful tool as well. As for the corvette dist cover, I didn't get a cover with this motor, so I will have to find one.. Although, I am thinking of selling this setup when I am done. It will incude the complete TPI intake, fuel rail, egr ,throttle body, plenum and runners. The intake I am going to clean up and either paint it black or leave it stock, depending on how it cleans up. I am definitely not polishing that though. My hands are so rough now from all this work that I could sand it with out paper...  Anyhow thanks for the compliments... |
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| Author: | colin911 [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Very nice! TPI is such a good looking setup 
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| Author: | lb9 GTA [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
I bought my 'vette dist cover new from GM a year ago. $45 I think. I did mine dry sanding by hand from 50 grit to 2000 grit then shining it up with aluminum polish with it still on the car. It has a decent reflection right now but not as good as yours obviously. When I replace my injectors I'll be getting at it with compounds and rouge and painting the unpolished areas. Again not perfect by any means but this is what I managed 
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Do you have a part number for that dist cover. Your plenum looks good with that cover. I think with a little compund and some buffing wheels, you will be quite pleased with the results. |
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| Author: | lb9 GTA [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
The p/n is 10108425 If you need the screws the p/n for them is 14082425. They're sold individually. It took a week or so. No dealership in Ont. stocks it any more. |
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Well the results are in....I just completed the entire TPI setup. I degreased the intake and cleaned it back to a nice bright finish, polished the fuel rails and painted the fuel lines, cleaned every bolt, installed the plenum and runner using stainless steel machine screws and then placed on my 350 to see how the results looked. Pics tell all...I am quite pleased with the results....      
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| Author: | Vetty [ Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Looking good kev! Just make sure not to mod the valve covers for 1.6rr if they are the Mr Gasket ones my dads leaked like a siv after we put them on. |
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| Author: | Kevs87TA [ Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Polishing Aluminum plenum and runners |
Vetty wrote: Looking good kev! Just make sure not to mod the valve covers for 1.6rr if they are the Mr Gasket ones my dads leaked like a siv after we put them on. Thanks Matt. As for the valve covers, not going with 1.6's right now. They are stock. But good advice though. This setup isn't actually going to be on this engine. To much work to change everything over to TPI. This engine will carbed and the intake is being polished as we speak. It is an Edelbrock Performer and will look even better than the TPI I polished. As much as I love the look of the TPI in an old car, I still like to go old school. This TPI is going up for sale on either Kijiji or EBAY, probably both. So if you know anyone interested, let me know. |
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