C2 "re skin" aluminum?

[Jerry S.]

Do you recommend any special brand of high temperature aluminum paint for this process? A few years ago we bought the high temp Harley Davidson paint, but feel the technology has improved. I hope this is not a secret.

[John H.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

The "re-skinning" process for aluminum doesn't involve paint.

[Jerry S.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

We manufacture plating equipment for a living. Please tell me again how aluminum is sprayed or electro plated onto another piece of aluminum. Harley-Davidson has been spraying their aluminum engines for 40+ years. My 63 fuelie Bloomington Silver coupe has the H-D spray paint on the valve covers and fuel unit. Do you want to see a picture. My intent is to show everyone how to save a couple of dollars. The only way we can improve aluminum is a high temperature paint. Other than our labor, we spent approx $10.00 on the paint.

[Bill Jackson]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

I have heard that the initial process involved aluminum plasma flame spraying. I have had headers done this way and the texture looks lika a fresh casting. The color is different though so maybe the paint is applied after the flame spray job. STRICTLY speculation with minimal knowledge on the issue. Anybody that knows the SECRET care to share?

[Gary Bishop]

(Message Deleted by Poster)

Message Deleted by Poster

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

Jerry-----

Some cast aluminum parts, particularly intake manifolds, were painted with some sort of aluminum paint, either at the manufacturing source or at the engine plants. The intake manifold on a 1968 Chevelle SS 396 L-78/M-22 that I factory-ordered and purchased back in 1968 was painted with aluminum paint as delivered to the dealer. Restoring this sort of finish is not difficult. A more-or-less "dull" aluminum paint will do the trick.

Other cast aluminum parts were left "natural", as they came out of the molds. Most of the 57-67 small block Corvette aluminum valve covers were this way, although some may have been painted. I don't think that NCRS judging standards allow for painted aluminum valve covers, though.

Restoring the natural, as-cast finish on parts which were originally this way is the very tricky part. It's not done with paint---paint is obvious. It has to be done with a lot more finesse to achieve the as-cast appearance. Some sort of chemical "treatment" is usually used.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

All of my first post did not go through.

From information a friend gleened of a job in England.

> a "fine power glass bead", then adds water either into the unit or a hose hooked on (I didn't clarify which one), then does his blasting. The glass bead is so fine if he just did it dry it would create such a dust inside you could not see through the glass.

I have seen the finished product and it looks as if it was just made.
This is the Tag on the machine.

"AUTOFLOW"
VAQUA PROCESSING UNIT
Designed & Manufactured by
ABRASIVE DELOPMENTS LTD
HIGH STREET Henley-IN-Arden
Telephone Henley-IN-Arden 2231/8
TELEX 338375
THE KOMET WETBLAST UNIT

[Rich Puleo]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

For an inexpensive alternative to reskinning the aluminum, I've used WD-40 & a fine scotchbrite pad (white), and it creates a thin grey film over the aluminum which looks convincing when it dries. Sometimes I've had to use a red pad, then go over it with the white. You can't use too coarse a pad or it will look brushed when you're done.
It isn't a cure all - pitting will still be visible, but if you want to save the 100 bucks or so for the refinish, try this method. It doesn't take long, & it won't look pollished or painted. The drawback is any kind of solvent will wash it off, and you can't put you decals over it (just wipe the decal area with brake clean or wax remover).
Rich

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

I'll bet this machine pumps the water past a venturi that siphons the glass bead into the jet stream. A person might dink around with a pressure washer and duplicate the process with a little trial and error.

tc

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

Or you could save several bucks and sent the to someone like Jerry McNeish and let them do it. Probably ain't near as much fun though

[Randy R.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

There is an article in an old Restorer titled "Color It Aluminum" by Bill Halbert that explains how to place a very thin layer of dull aluminum paint on an aluminum casting such as a valve cover. The process consisted of pouring about 1/4 in of lacquer thinner in a cup, then spraying a small amount of dull aluminum paint on the thinner. You then daub the paint on the casting. With practice, it turns out pretty nice. The trick is to get enough paint on the valve cover to cover any blemishes but not enough to make it look painted.

[Jim Baxter]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

Anyone know if the 327/350 hp intake is painted aluminum or real aluminum.

[Terry F.]

Re: C2 "re skin" aluminum?

I just wash it good and scrub with ajax cleanser. Blast it with a high pressure water hose and repeat the process as needed. You can paint it after that if you like. I have heard of people painting it with aluminum paint and then wiping it down with a solvent to leave a residue. The process brightens it up. But you need to get it real clean before you try that trick. I personally don't get too into over restoring or trying to hard to fake stuff. The stuff is old and it has a right to look that way. I appreciate it for still being there and being original and unadulterated. Pretty takes a back seat for me. Regards, Terry

[Curt S.]

Wet blasting process

Wet blasting (sand/glass blasting with water) does leave an appealing and finer surface finish that's more akin to freshly cast metal/alloy compared to dry sand blasting. Several mfr's/distrib's, but here's some basic info on the Vaqua Komet mentioned here;

http://www.autoblast.com/whatswet.htm

www.dana-ridge.com.au

[Gary Bishop]

That is the Machine!!!

Thanks. That is the Machine that I saw in England.