aluminum polishing problems

[TOM B]

I have a victor jr high rise aluminum intake on my 347, I polished it so it looks great,,,
for a while that is, what can I do to keep that shine, it a real pain to keep polishing it because of the blower and stuff.

 

[D.Hearne]

I'd say clear coat it, but I had bad results with someO.E. Ranger wheels that had the stuff from the factory. After awhile it aged and peeled and looked like crap. And the stuff wouldn't come off.

 

[gtss]

I can't speak from personal experience, but I've heard that "zoop" is great to apply once polished and it keeps the shine for a long time
gtss

 

[iskwezm]

I HAD the Zoops,my dad bought it for me as a gift,cost abou $100 bucks.We got it from a car show and when we got home, we opened the box and the main 2 parts you mix for the clear were hardend.I called Zoops and they were nice enough to replace the 2 parts.......................for $70 bucks.The guy i spoke with was a ass,but we got some great polish though.

So i cant comment on if it works, but i know they dont stand behind thier product.


Incendently, i had my intake powder coated after being polished,coolant will eat right through it and gas will stain it.

 

[gjz30075]

Sell it on ebay and buy the one with the Endurashine finish. It looks great and easy to upkeep. Unfortunately, I haven't had mine too long to give you any 'long lasting' conclusions.

 

[jerry S]

You could have it powder coated with a high shine finish

 

[TOM B]

So all you guys polish your intake manifolds every season, What a pain.
There has to be something better to hold that shine

 

[TOM B]

SOME ONE HAS TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP THAT ALUMINUM SHINE

 

[CanyonCarver515]

I don't believe that there is any secret to this.

Cast aluminum is low-density metal and quite porous. I was told that if offers a lot of surface for moisture and contaminants to do their work and oxydize the surface.
Billet aluminum generally holds its polish much longer because the metal is tighter... That's how billet wheels can last a long time between detailing and polish.

In short, you have to maintain it with quality polish and apply a sealer to help delay the effects of oxidation.

Clear coats usually don't last, especially in a hot engine environment. The clear dries up, shrinks and peels over time.

A friend of mine has a 32 ford with magnesium Halibrant wheels. He got them polished, then powder cooated clear. He though he was out of the woods. But somehow oxidation slowly worked its way underneath the clear, turning his polished mags to a shiny, olive drab color. Now he has to get them stripped off the powder coat and polish them again - every week!