Refinishing Aluminum Intakes(sand blasted)

[Greg L.]

Okay here is my dilemma, back in the 80's when I first detailed my engine I figured that the best way to restore my intake was to sand blast it. Now I know better but the damage has obviously been done so I was thinking, no problem, I'll just get it reskinned.
However, I had read someplace that to clean all of the casting sand from the manifold, they were steel bead blasted when they came out of the mold and that a manifold with a skin is not correct. So now I'm thinking that this is the best way to restore it. Any thoughts on this?

[Kent K.]

Re: Refinishing Aluminum Intakes(sand blasted)

Greg ---- Send it to Jerry MacNeish. He'll make it like new. His URL and address are:

http://www.z28camaro.com/restosvcs.html

Camaro Hi-Performance
c/o Jerry MacNeish
5750 Kinsmen Courage Ct.
Eldersburg, MD 21784
Good luck, Kent #6201

[Greg L.]

Re: Refinishing Aluminum Intakes(sand blasted)

Thanks Kent,

I have heard of Jerry and that he does top notch work however I'm a little concerned as to what the original finish actualy was...a fresh "skined" appearance or a fresh steel shot blasted appearance. Has anyone compared a reskinned and a steel shot blasted one to see if there is any difference?

[Harold# 43147]

Re: Refinishing Aluminum Intakes(sand blasted)

Greg never heard of reskinning.Do not shot peen Alu. NO NO.I work with Fondry castings every day when the manifold was made it was a sand casting and they used a fine sand for Alu. than for Iron. When they shake them out of the sand they have a shine to them and fine texture. When I restore Alu. Manifolds I use a 180-220 Glass Bead at 150 PSI and its pretty close to the shake out color remember Alu. starts oxidizing as soon as it hits air so it will dull down. I have beed using a satin powder coat on these manifolds and it seems to hold the color.