Trying to clean some stains / remove discoloration off of a cast alumn intake manifold. Anything good for this?

Thanks,
Rob

Boy... I can't wait to get this engine assembled!!! :)

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69 Frame-off in progress (pics) (http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing)

I've used lamp oil (white gas?) in the past with success in removing gasoline stains.

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Bret Copsey
'68 Camaro base coupe
'92 Caprice Wagon
'99 Venture Van

You can also by cast aluminum spray paint that looks very nice and is more durable then the bare cast finish.

It it's off the car, what about the heavy duty acid-type wheel cleaners?

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The Red Beast http://www.geocities.com/casanoc

The best way I have found to clean cast aluminium intake manifolds is using a media blaster. I find glass beads work the best. This should get rid of any stains or paint that have accumulated over the years.

If you don't want to ever have to do it again, I highly reccomend powerdercoating it too. On all of my aluminium parts I used Eastwood's satin clear podercoat which I was more than satisfied with. Noxt exactly the cheap route to go, but I have found few other methods that were as durable.

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Craig Wood
1969 Camaro RS/SS (http://www.geocities.com/copo.geo)

I agree with bead blasting, it worked great on my original Z28 manifold. I had it sprayed with clear by my painter afterward but that started to chip, discolor and stain after awhile. I wish I had known about the clear powdercoat back then.

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Dave
'69 Z11 Pace Car, 350/4 speed, manual top, console w/gauges, tilt rosewood wheel, AM radio

I read in a post a while back to try corn starch and a toothbrush (not the one you use every day).



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68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

Does powdercoating of aluminum cause additional heat? John Z.

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Rob, I've had pretty good luck washing them with laundry detergent and hot water. Before media blasting them we would wash them with this solution to get the oil/grease/gas out of the aluminum pores, and most of the time they came out looking new. Even if you plan on blasting or painting it you should wash it first- it'll keep the oil from seeping out into your fresh paint or finish later.
I had the best luck with Tide, really hot water and a medium scrub brush. If you do blast it, fine steel shot gives the best "as cast" finish. Sand or glass beads make it too smooth.

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68 Camaro 355", TH-400, 3.73 10 bolt, Rally rims.
69 Nova 355" TH-350, 4.88 12 bolt, 150 shot...click here to see it. (http://members.tripod.com/pete_2112/petesnovapage.html)
And a garage full of vintage bmx bikes.

A K&N air filter cleaning kit comes with a water soluable cleaner that works pretty good at removing stains from an aluminum intake manifold. I just use it, a toothbrush, and a rag.

I've had good luck with Naval Jelly,just follow directions.

Will Naval Jelly work on navel lint?

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68 Camaro 355", TH-400, 3.73 10 bolt, Rally rims.
69 Nova 355" TH-350, 4.88 12 bolt, 150 shot...click here to see it. (http://members.tripod.com/pete_2112/petesnovapage.html)
And a garage full of vintage bmx bikes.

Only if apllied while on a navel base.

trplblk: Nearly any form of coating that you add to the manifold will act as an isulator (You can think of it as insulation). It will not necessarily cause additional heat, it will just make it more difficult for the heat to escape (Through the manifold). I have never had any issues with anything I have powdercoated (Blocks, heads, transmissions.. etc.)

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Craig Wood
1969 Camaro RS/SS (http://www.geocities.com/copo.geo)

The Ole woman takes care of the lint and ?!?!?