my polished aluminum looks like #@%&
01-23-2008, 09:17 PM
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my polished aluminum looks like #@%& My valve covers has some sort of hard film on them. The only thing I could think of is condensation. It looks horrible! I have alot of polished parts under my hood, and they are all getting this nasty film on them. Is there any type of protector I could put on them to keep this from happening? Also, how does the spray polish work? I am scared to use regular wax because I don't want all the dust with the motor compartment painted black. Can you suggest a brand or a better way?
01-24-2008, 02:56 AM
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I originally had quite a bit of polished aluminum under my hood on TA - but I didn't want to eventually run into the problem you are seeing - so I had everything chromed.
A cheaper option is to re-polish all your aluminum parts and have them clear powdercoated. This is cheaper than chrome and will protect aluminum from ever oxidizing again. I had an entire polished aluminum manifold done like this - been on my 68 vette for years with no problems or degredation of finish. Powdercoat is even impervious to gasoline/solvents. Make sure that your powdercoater knows how to powdercoat aluminum CORRECTLY or you will have peeling issues down the road due to the coating not properly adhering to the metal surface.
Parts will need to be cleaned thoroughly in solvent, then pre-baked at 600 Deg for a couple hours to get rid of surface contamination and residue left in pores of aluminum. Then sprayed, and final bake/cure at 400 Deg for 1 hour.
With clear powdercoat - make sure the surface finish of the parts is as good as you want them to be - cause once the powdercoat is on - any imperfections are sealed in under the coating and cannot be fixed unless the powdercoat is removed - which is a major biatch.
-Jay-
A cheaper option is to re-polish all your aluminum parts and have them clear powdercoated. This is cheaper than chrome and will protect aluminum from ever oxidizing again. I had an entire polished aluminum manifold done like this - been on my 68 vette for years with no problems or degredation of finish. Powdercoat is even impervious to gasoline/solvents. Make sure that your powdercoater knows how to powdercoat aluminum CORRECTLY or you will have peeling issues down the road due to the coating not properly adhering to the metal surface.
Parts will need to be cleaned thoroughly in solvent, then pre-baked at 600 Deg for a couple hours to get rid of surface contamination and residue left in pores of aluminum. Then sprayed, and final bake/cure at 400 Deg for 1 hour.
With clear powdercoat - make sure the surface finish of the parts is as good as you want them to be - cause once the powdercoat is on - any imperfections are sealed in under the coating and cannot be fixed unless the powdercoat is removed - which is a major biatch.
-Jay-
01-24-2008, 11:26 AM
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You know since they are aluminum they will have come with a clear coat sealant type substance on them which means you will need to etch them with hydrochloric acid to remove the film then they can be polished like new. It's a common process and can be done on the car without hurting any other parts.
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01-24-2008, 01:15 PM
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Better yet, don't make a new thread asking about Zoop Seal. Use the search function instead since this topic comes up all the damn time 
People better hope to God I don't become a mod here...the ban hammer would be out and swinging every single day.
People better hope to God I don't become a mod here...the ban hammer would be out and swinging every single day.
01-24-2008, 02:34 PM
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. LOL 
01-24-2008, 04:50 PM
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Maybe you need to find something else to do with your time. Who wants to read some old outdated thread. I did the search last post date with anyone asking how it worked was 2-2-07. Some things change......maybe since then something else has come out. The only other threads were about how to apply. Maybe you should only look at threads that you can add input on instead of . LOL
. LOLDo you honestly think Zoop Seal has changed since February of last year? I'm betting it works about the same as it did then, unless they've come out with a new formula, which I'm pretty sure the frequent posters of this section would know about.
Nice attitude.
-Mike
01-24-2008, 11:36 PM
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Well, griping at a long-time poster, who often posts useful information, is one way to go about it...
Do you honestly think Zoop Seal has changed since February of last year? I'm betting it works about the same as it did then, unless they've come out with a new formula, which I'm pretty sure the frequent posters of this section would know about.
Nice attitude.
-Mike
Do you honestly think Zoop Seal has changed since February of last year? I'm betting it works about the same as it did then, unless they've come out with a new formula, which I'm pretty sure the frequent posters of this section would know about.
Nice attitude.
-Mike
