Cleaning rough-cast aluminum?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Cleaning rough-cast aluminum?
I'd like to clean the intake manifold on my GTA. I have whole TPI apart except for the base and I'd to clean it up real nice before I put everything back together again.
I used a brass wire brush on the plenum and that turned out pretty good. Unfortunately, the base has alot of hard to reach areas which are difficult to get a wire brush into.
Anybody know of a good product that'd clean rough-cast aluminum like the intake manifold?
I used a brass wire brush on the plenum and that turned out pretty good. Unfortunately, the base has alot of hard to reach areas which are difficult to get a wire brush into.
Anybody know of a good product that'd clean rough-cast aluminum like the intake manifold?
#2
Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Jamestown NY USA
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Iroc 91 Z28
Engine: 5.0 LB9
Transmission: WC T5 / 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
Well if the manifold was off bead blasting would be the way to go.
But i am gussing a lot of elbow grease if not.
But i am gussing a lot of elbow grease if not.
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North East GA
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Transmission: T56
a little brass wheel on a dremel Or you can use some acid based wheel cleaner.
This is what I used on my old wheels.
NO. 851/852/853 ALUMINUM CLEANER & BRIGHTENER
https://www.duragloss.com/new/products/wh-cleaners.htm
I use to use this on my old wheels it is acid based and will clean anything off the wheel including the clear coat. Just don't get it on the gasket surfaces. It leaves a matt simi gloss finish, but you will need to clear coat it afterwards cause it leaves little pits that will trap the grease.
muric acid (aka driveway cleaner) duluted will also do it, just don't get it on anything painted/rubber/plastic/polished. I say say about 1 part acid to 5 parts water.
I also second the bead blasting though, I say its worth the cost of the gaskets to take it off the car.
This is what I used on my old wheels.
NO. 851/852/853 ALUMINUM CLEANER & BRIGHTENER
https://www.duragloss.com/new/products/wh-cleaners.htm
I use to use this on my old wheels it is acid based and will clean anything off the wheel including the clear coat. Just don't get it on the gasket surfaces. It leaves a matt simi gloss finish, but you will need to clear coat it afterwards cause it leaves little pits that will trap the grease.
muric acid (aka driveway cleaner) duluted will also do it, just don't get it on anything painted/rubber/plastic/polished. I say say about 1 part acid to 5 parts water.
I also second the bead blasting though, I say its worth the cost of the gaskets to take it off the car.
Last edited by Aviator857; 07-12-2004 at 12:20 AM.
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 & 1992 Z28
Engine: LB9 & L98
Transmission: T56 & T56
Axle/Gears: 4.10s & 3.23s
DO NOT BEAD BLAST!!!! unless you use a coarse one (either glass or sand) or it will turn out dull.... I used Eagle one mag wheel cleaner... it will give it the bright sparkle it had from the factory
#5
TGO Supporter
iTrader: (2)
That dull finish from sand blasting is a perfect match for the factory finish on the plenum & base, but the f-body runners are a smooth tubular steel and sand blasting them won't give the appropriate appearance. For those, I've found the acidic aluminum cleaners to be best, although sometimes you still may need to sand blast the cast portions of the runners (the end pieces that mount to the plenum/base).
Like somebody else mentioned, bare cast or sand-blasted aluminum will be a bitch to keep clean. I've had the best luck by cleaning with carb cleaner on a regular basis to prevent grease and oil from staining the aluminum.
Like somebody else mentioned, bare cast or sand-blasted aluminum will be a bitch to keep clean. I've had the best luck by cleaning with carb cleaner on a regular basis to prevent grease and oil from staining the aluminum.
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
honestly, after they've been blasted, ive had the best luck with VHTs cast alum paint.
it looks exactly the same... matter of fact, its hard to tell where you painted, it matches very well...
but the paint doesnt corrode and fade, and if its scratched, nothing happens.... it looks the same.
good stuff.
it looks exactly the same... matter of fact, its hard to tell where you painted, it matches very well...
but the paint doesnt corrode and fade, and if its scratched, nothing happens.... it looks the same.
good stuff.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the excellent suggestions! If anyone has any more ideas, please keep them coming.
It seems bead-blasting/sandblasting is probably the best way to go, but I really don't want to take off that darn base again. LOL!
I just like to get rid of those brown stained areas on the intake manifold before I put the TPI back on.
It seems bead-blasting/sandblasting is probably the best way to go, but I really don't want to take off that darn base again. LOL!
I just like to get rid of those brown stained areas on the intake manifold before I put the TPI back on.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 & 1992 Z28
Engine: LB9 & L98
Transmission: T56 & T56
Axle/Gears: 4.10s & 3.23s
just use some Simple Green to clean the grease away and find a brass bristle brush to scrub if needed... let everything dry then spray Eagle One Mage wheel cleaner on it, then rinse
#9
TGO Supporter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
If you do it at home, use non-caustic oven cleaner. The one I used said it was safe for use on aluminum. It worked GREAT!
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1988 Chevrolet Camaro Iroc Z28
Engine: 5.7 liter TPI L98
Transmission: TH- 400
I used tal strip 2 paint stripper for alumnium surfaces. My tpi set up looked like new.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
3
12-10-2019 07:07 PM
IROCZDAVE (88-L98)
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
11-19-2015 07:03 AM
IROCZDAVE (88-L98)
Exterior Parts for Sale
0
09-06-2015 06:23 AM