i got the whole motor chromed up and looking good but the intake is kinda rough looking stains and grime.ive tried a degreaser but it didnt cut thru the crap. was thinking about a acid spay ? what have you guys used with good results?

 

Sandblast?

 

my favorite product would have to be SimpleGreen.

My TPI intake was looking pretty nasty and with a couple minutes of SG and a scrub brush, it came out pretty good looking.

before:


after:

 

It even took the tape from your coolant bottle! lol.

But seriously, the 2 cleaning products I usually use are Simple green, and Purple power, although people say not to use purple power on aluminum, I have never had a problem.

 

Good Q!!!

What about a carb'd aluminum intake that has them white looking spots on it??
Intake is on the motor, not taking it off!

 

You could also use aluminum wheel cleaner for NON clear coated wheels.

 

I use eagle one etching mag. I just make sure to rinse it off good has always worked great for me.

 

I second sand blasting (actually media blasted sand is kind of harsh and gives it a darker color than glass beading it,still looks good though) or just have it polished.

 

yeah it took the tape right off the coolant bottle! Actually the pic was taken the day after i got that new jar from the junkyard lol.

If your intake has white spots all over it, its probably from coolant and honestly, good luck getting it off without taking the manifold off the car.

If youre going to do that much work, i would say just replace the manifold with something better or nicer looking.

 

wd40

 

Simple green works well, I usually spray it on with the engine hot and use a small scrub brush to get at the crud.


If you want it to look really good you'll have to pull the intake and have it soda or glass blasted. Make sure to either paint it with clear engine paint or have it powdercoated clear after that.

 

I sand blasted mine when it was off for new gaskets looks great now it was real nasty.

 

I used etching wheel/mag cleaner and a power washer on some used brake calipers that were pretty bad,it made them look brand spanken new! I bought like 6 bottles dumped them into a tub,submerged the calipers and power washed them. It took a few times but deffinately worth the effort.As they were getting cleaner they would get this black stuff on them that wouldnt come off my buddy sugested the power washer and whamo it took off the black stuff making the calipers look like new. The etching wheel cleaner is acidic,you have to wash it very well or it will continue to eat the aluminum. You will have to remove the intake to do this,but like i said deffinately worth the effort. After they were cleaned I clear coated them with special clear made for bare aluminum to keep them looking new. Hope this helps.