Cobra Intake cleaning

racingdivision · Jun 17, 2008

Can anyone recommend an appropriate way to clean an original intake manifold? And once it is clean how to keep it that way. Should it be lightly medial blasted and sealed?

Thanks

67200F5A02206 · Jun 17, 2008

Any type of media blasting (sand, bead, etc.) is going to change the finish on the intake. Bead blasting is the closest but if you leave it as raw aluminum it WILL stain. Mag wheel cleaner (for bare aluminum) will remove some of the stains but it does etch the aluminum slightly.

If you are planning on actually running the engine (as opposed to pushing it on and off a trailer) then you have to coat the intake somehow. Most clears (even the high temp ones) will yellow over time. Eastwood makes a Diamond Clear that seems to work the best or I've heard clear powder coating works well also.

I've tried the clear route and finally broke down and painted it with "cast aluminum" paint. Most aluminum paints are too silvery but the cast aluminum is about right. I had to buy about 4 different brands before I got one I liked. To be honest nobody even notices that the intake is painted.

s2ms · Jun 17, 2008

67200F5A02206 said: ↑

Any type of media blasting (sand, bead, etc.) is going to change the finish on the intake. Bead blasting is the closest but if you leave it as raw aluminum it WILL stain. Mag wheel cleaner (for bare aluminum) will remove some of the stains but it does etch the aluminum slightly.

If you are planning on actually running the engine (as opposed to pushing it on and off a trailer) then you have to coat the intake somehow. Most clears (even the high temp ones) will yellow over time. Eastwood makes a Diamond Clear that seems to work the best or I've heard clear powder coating works well also.

I've tried the clear route and finally broke down and painted it with "cast aluminum" paint. Most aluminum paints are too silvery but the cast aluminum is about right. I had to buy about 4 different brands before I got one I liked. To be honest nobody even notices that the intake is painted.
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Ditto that.

I was also not impressed with the results from clears. I used a fine media blast on my intake and T-pan and then used a light coat of Krylon dull cast aluminum. Still looks great and easily cleans up.