If you can't find shiney stuff then make your own

[Chrome]

Searched everywhere trying to find a Chrome waterneck but came up empty. So I started thinking (I know..I know...dangerous) if I can polish a whole aluminum intake then why not polish a aluminum waterneck. A few hours with a Dremel along with a little wet/dry sand paper and presto!

[AlsChopShop]

you polished an entire aluminum intake??? sounds like you need to find a day job!

nice work though!

Al

[J10Mike]

Looks good Scott. You polished that Edelbrock intake? Can you send me a pic of it?

[Tripwire]

how are ya keeping the Aluminium from reverting back to its grey color? show us a pic of your engine

Tripwire

[Chrome]

It took about a week of working in the afternoons to get it polished out. One of the things I love about Wal-Mart is when you smoke a Dremel you just take it back and they give you another no questions asked. Total count was 3 Dremels completely toasted along with several assorted bits.

[chrisnsarah]

how are ya keeping the Aluminium from reverting back to its grey color? show us a pic of your engine

Tripwire

I've heard of people using a clear powdercoat over polished surfaces.

[Chrome]

I've heard of people using a clear powdercoat over polished surfaces.

I use the old school Karate Kid method....polish on....polish off.

[gsmikie]

I use the old school Karate Kid method....polish on....polish off.

come on out here and work your magic on my camp trailer

[mark j]

There was a group that listed a CNC'd aluminum water inlet for amc's a while back for $100. They still list other products- I'm going to call and see if they can still produce the amc. I polished the timing cover for my 401 much like you did you intake. From now on I think I'll buy them that way. It is a lot of work!

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

ME THINKS ME SEE A SPECK OF DIRT IN THE UPPER RT HAND CORNER OF YOUR ENGINE PIC! ............OH! THINK STAINLESS!!

[chakaD460]

how are ya keeping the Aluminium from reverting back to its grey color? show us a pic of your engine

Tripwire

You can use clearcoat. Autozone sells spray cans of it.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

You can use clearcoat. Autozone sells spray cans of it.

Turns it dull after it dries, and as time goes it turns a yellowish scaley mess.

[Chrome]

Turns it dull after it dries, and as time goes it turns a yellowish scaley mess.

That's why I polished my intake. When I orginally built the motor in the Wag a friend told me to clearcoat the intake and it would stay shiney so I thought what the heck. After less than 200 miles it had turned the yellowish color and looked like crap. The motor begin to come apart at 400 miles due to a bad crankshaft so I had to tear it back down and while it was down I tried everything to get the clearcoat off but no luck. Finally came down to either sanding it off or buying another intake. After spending 4 hours with a pack of sand paper I knew there had to be a better way. Thank God for Dremels.

[grand_wag_85]

So how do you keep the intake shiny w/o having to go back and shine it up?

[Chrome]

So how do you keep the intake shiny w/o having to go back and shine it up?

When I clean the motor I use a towel to dry off all the Chrome and aluminum pieces. It sounds like a lot of trouble but only takes a few minutes to do and keeps water spots to a minimum. Once the aluminum is polished smooth it will keep a good shine for a long time unless you use some type of acid on it when you clean it. It's the same thing with the aluminum tanks you see on 18 wheelers as long as you take care of them they will keep a good shine without a lot of polishing. The best thing I've found is Turtle Wax car wash soap. It has no harsh detergents and also has a mild wax mixed in to boot. It's good for the painted and shiney surfaces.