I recently ran across some older Z-28 intakes carbs etc
Intakes are not damaged by any thing other than neglect and being dirty.
I don’t want to bead blast them as it takes the finish off.
You either never touch again as it has no protection
Clear it then it turns colors on you
I would like to know if anyone has tried something.
Like simple green Any suggestions would help.
I would rather keep them as close to a natural finish as possible

Ive low-psi blasted quite a few, followed up with a rub of fine steel wool.

Clean up, when necessary, was a snap. Even after a few heat cycles. Oil, fuel, antifreeze, I've experienced each with all the ones I've done. Just a quick wipe with some W/G remover, and it looks good again.

The theory that blasted intakes stain easily is just that. A theory. That, or that it was done at a very high psi would be my guess. The intakes I've blasted clean up waaaaay more easily than new, out-of-the-box aluminum intakes I've tried.

But if you're looking to send them somewhere, I think MacNeish is probably your best bet.

How were they done back in the day? Just cast and lightly blasted like Dave said?

Would the blasting media be important as well? Walnut shells/baking soda instead of garnet media?

alan

How were they done back in the day? Just cast and lightly blasted like Dave said?

They were freshly cast from the foundry.

Would the blasting media be important as well? Walnut shells/baking soda instead of garnet media?

I've only used glass bead at low psi, so I can't really say how other medias work.

Blast with a fine glass media at medium pressure.It will come out with a nice satin sheen as it did when it was new.

Baking Soda blasting also produces a nice finish and doesn't remove any metal :thumbsup:

Cleaned a lot of dirty aluminum parts over the years. Scrub well in a mild cleaner like Simple Green or Orange All with a stiff non-metal brush to remove the grime without discoloring the metal then blast with walnut shells. The original casting look will not be removed, all the casting numbers will be clear as day, and you'll have an ear-to-ear grin.

I like to blast them with walnut shells. It leaves a clean factory finish. It does not destroy the "skinned" finish.

i have blasted lot off them with plastic mediea. works good and does not remove metal.