Tweet
Kind of a strange request....Many years ago, I decided to make the alternator look 'pretty', rather than that dull factory finish. I carefully taped all inlet holes and used 0000 steel wool and metal polish. It looked great when I finished, however I know now that was a BIG mistake judging wise. Here's the question of the day, is there anything chemical wise or other that will dull the finish back to original ? Thanks, Tim
-
-
Re: Alternator Finish
Ah, Mr. Keeler, the dreaded "correct finish on aluminum parts"...
Originally these were described as having a particular "skin" appearance to the aluminum. Should you intend on showing the car, send it to Mr. John Pirkle. For about $225 (?) it will be returned "perfect" with date-coded diodes, correct capacitor, etc. If you wish a "reasonable-to-close" finish, dissasemble & bead blast the housing. Follow this with a light coat of Krylon "matte finish" clear spray paint & reassemble. Beware though - bead-blasting can destroy the surface "finish" on the aluminum (the judging manual specifically calls for "...with no evidence of bead-blasting...") and may later exclude your alternator from being a candidate for restoration.
If this is the original, date-coded, factory-installed alternator...I would reccomend you send it to Mr. Pirkle.
Carl -
Re: Alternator Finish
Ah, Mr. Keeler, the dreaded "correct finish on aluminum parts"...
Originally these were described as having a particular "skin" appearance to the aluminum. Should you intend on showing the car, send it to Mr. John Pirkle. For about $225 (?) it will be returned "perfect" with date-coded diodes, correct capacitor, etc. If you wish a "reasonable-to-close" finish, dissasemble & bead blast the housing. Follow this with a light coat of Krylon "matte finish" clear spray paint & reassemble. Beware though - bead-blasting can destroy the surface "finish" on the aluminum (the judging manual specifically calls for "...with no evidence of bead-blasting...") and may later exclude your alternator from being a candidate for restoration.
If this is the original, date-coded, factory-installed alternator...I would reccomend you send it to Mr. Pirkle.
CarlComment
-
Re: Alternator Finish
Tim----
I agree with Carl. If this is not an original, dated type unit, the methodolgy that he described will produce a finish which is close to original. Otherwise, send the unit to John Pirkle, as Carl suggests.
Chemical restoration of an alternator case is possible, but it is very tricky. Aluminum is a highly reactive metal and can be destroyed quickly by those inexperienced at chemical "treatments". The only other folks that I know of that used to perform quality, chemical restoration of aluminum parts were Linda Nelson's Corvette Craft(more recently ZO-6 Productions) in Florida and ASL Company of Carson City, NV. As far as I know, neither are currently accepting parts for restoration.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: Alternator Finish
Tim----
I agree with Carl. If this is not an original, dated type unit, the methodolgy that he described will produce a finish which is close to original. Otherwise, send the unit to John Pirkle, as Carl suggests.
Chemical restoration of an alternator case is possible, but it is very tricky. Aluminum is a highly reactive metal and can be destroyed quickly by those inexperienced at chemical "treatments". The only other folks that I know of that used to perform quality, chemical restoration of aluminum parts were Linda Nelson's Corvette Craft(more recently ZO-6 Productions) in Florida and ASL Company of Carson City, NV. As far as I know, neither are currently accepting parts for restoration.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
Comment