Cleaning Aluminum Engine Components
#1
Cleaning Aluminum Engine Components
Does anyone have a good way to make the aluminum engine components look new again? My water pumper and engine brackets are all brown and dingy looking. I would like to make them look new again without painting them.
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when it comes to aluminum parts that have not been clearcoated, i use 2500 grit sandpaper and watersand the part then i use neverdull to bring it to a brilliant shine, let me know if you need more details, i have handpolished quite a few parts from raw to mirror
#7
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Take a scrub brush with degreaser or soap and get all the crud off. Then wash and dry them with normal water and a towel. Then hit them with some Duplicolor 500 degree thats a natural aluminum color. Wont take long and it will all look brand new. Sanding water pumps is a little **** to me
For some motivation, look here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/racers-lo...ew-engine.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/multimedi...lots-pics.html
For some motivation, look here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/racers-lo...ew-engine.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/multimedi...lots-pics.html
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#8
The aluminum I am referring to is the water pump & brackets. But, it would apply to my heads and 4 barrel intake as well. So, the polishing deals would not work out for that application unless I was willing to sand down and polish all of those components.
Sandblasting creates a dull gray finish that does not look like natural cast.
I tried the aluminum cleaner from Napa. It works very good, but if you leave it on too long the surface turns dull gray like sand blasting.
I would like to try the Zep aluminum soap. My friend used to rebuild transmissions. He had a hot wash cabinet that used that Zep soap. When the cabinet was clean, it worked excellent. But, he is in a different business now.
The best results I have had so far is to clean it with the Napa aluminum cleaner, then restore the shine with a high speed wire wheel, then hit is again with the aluminum cleaner for about 3 to 5 seconds. This gets the sheen just about right. However, I can't imagine being able to maintain it that way once it is assembled and in the car.
While I was going for the natural look, I am seriously thinking about just finding a nice silver color code and painting the whole thing in PPG. I did this in Silver and Red with my Grand National and it looked great and cleaned up in minutes with some soap and water.
Sandblasting creates a dull gray finish that does not look like natural cast.
I tried the aluminum cleaner from Napa. It works very good, but if you leave it on too long the surface turns dull gray like sand blasting.
I would like to try the Zep aluminum soap. My friend used to rebuild transmissions. He had a hot wash cabinet that used that Zep soap. When the cabinet was clean, it worked excellent. But, he is in a different business now.
The best results I have had so far is to clean it with the Napa aluminum cleaner, then restore the shine with a high speed wire wheel, then hit is again with the aluminum cleaner for about 3 to 5 seconds. This gets the sheen just about right. However, I can't imagine being able to maintain it that way once it is assembled and in the car.
While I was going for the natural look, I am seriously thinking about just finding a nice silver color code and painting the whole thing in PPG. I did this in Silver and Red with my Grand National and it looked great and cleaned up in minutes with some soap and water.
#10
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Using the NAPA aluminum cleaner with some high temp clear should give you good results that will last a long time.
http://www.amazon.com/VHT-SP115-Flam...=pd_sbs_auto_3
http://www.amazon.com/VHT-SP115-Flam...=pd_sbs_auto_3