What's the best thing to tidy up engine bay Aluminium Parts?

[s2_wot]

Cleaned & painted the block of the engine today so that's a bit tidier now but..

I've got a number of aluminium parts with a lot of surface corrosion on them; examples being the engine mounts, the rocker cover, intake manifold etc. Is there a process or product that can be used to clean them up.

Now that they're out on the bench it would be the right time to polish them. Is there a lacquer that can be put on top to maintain the bling if I do go to the bother.

[Big Lee M]

I wouldn't polish them to a bling factor I'd have them vapour blasted and then sprayed with satin laquer. Go for the full on out of the box fresh look,they look better than new when vapour blasted.

[irishs2]

If you dont got the blasting route, Aluma Blast paint, comes very highly recommended. Frost do it. I got a few cans of it to do my covers and what not.

[s2_wot]

I wouldn't polish them to a bling factor I'd have them vapour blasted and then sprayed with satin laquer. Go for the full on out of the box fresh look,they look better than new when vapour blasted.

Vapour blasting is new to me so I'll have to research, I've a feeling my options will be restricted. So what sort of finish have you then, have you any pics on here?

If you dont got the blasting route, Aluma Blast paint, comes very highly recommended. Frost do it. I got a few cans of it to do my covers and what not.

I think some sort of blasting will be needed, having been sat up for a while the surface is pretty ropey. That said I've other stuff to get in frosts so no harm in a few cans. Likewise any pics of the finish you got?

both of you I'm off to google...

[irishs2]

Oh I wish I was to the stage of painting engine covers. lol

here is some googles

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27316

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/...9b505cd43a10b/

[bikerjim]

Get the ally bits vapour blasted. My dad had it done to his S6 parts when he rebuilt the engine and they look great.

here is a pic:



Because its a blast process it shot peens the surface and it is much more resistant to corrosion. This was taken when he first had them done and they still look like this after over about a year and a half.

[bikerjim]

sorry for the crap quality pic

[Big Lee M]

My mate is building an engine at the moment and I didn't know about it until I'd painted all mine with the black wrinkle paint, wish I'd a know about before hand. It make things look better than new, my mate had his cylinder head done.

[s2_wot]

Anybody got an idea how much it'd be to vapour blast say the IM, the head & cover and a few ancillaries?

Cheers for the photo, that finish looks perfect

[macspring]

Shane,

If you find a vapour blaster in the 32 Counties, please advise as I think it is the way forward for the aluminum parts.

There maybe be someone in Cork, a bit far though.

Thanks.

[s2_wot]

http://www.tadltd.com/vapor_blasting_vapour_blasting.php

David, I'll get a price off these guys tomorrow. Have you any stuff to do in the next week or thereabouts?

[bikerjim]

Well i know a guy over here that does it pretty cheep http://www.vapour-blasting.co.uk/index.htm

He did a load of parts for my 1.8t rebuild recently including 2 engine mounts, cam cover, IM, and sump for £50, that is very cheep tho.

[s2_wot]

Thanks for that, I'll use that as a guage.

How soon after blasting does the lacquer need to be applied?

[bikerjim]

I am not going to bother lacquering my parts. My dads engine still looks just like new and he not lacquered his either.

[s2_wot]

I am not going to bother lacquering my parts. My dads engine still looks just like new and he not lacquered his either.

Is his car driven every day or most days as a matter of interest?