Polished Intake Care:

[Captain D]

Hope that I'm posting in the right area...

We have a polished intake (Edelbrock Performer RPM Polished), and I've read that some folks round' here have used Mothers Chrome Polish. However, I see two different options...One for chrome and another for aluminum from Mothers. For instance:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mothers-PowerMetal-Aluminum-Polish-and-Chrome-Polish_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem19b624f340QQitemZ110430057280QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Have you guys used either/or of these products or would recommend something else that would protect and clean this specific intake?

Thank you for any replies,
Aaron

[Silver R/T]

Have not used this particular product but Mothers does make quality compounds/polishes/waxes so I wouldn't worry about using it.

[Captain D]

True and thank you for your reply,

I just didn't know if one is better than the other in cleaning and protecting the shine...seeing how the polished intakes may or may not be actual 'chrome." But, I'm not 100% certain. Would anyone know? If it isn't actually 'chrome,' I would be hesitant about using a polish that may be too harsh on whatever finish it actually is.

Thank you again!
Aaron

[Silver R/T]

you can always try using it on a small, inconspicuous spot.

[superbirdtom]

I have posted here before on how to keep any polished metal on your car new looking. this is for polished brass or aluminum not chrome. it is called glisten pc. by por 15. it is hard as hell and will keep your polished parts new looking for years . you will never have to polish the part again. I clear coated some polished copper ball and spiked finials on my roof and some copper landscape lights and a 4bbl aluminum highrise in my friends charger. and it is 10 years old and looks like new.

                  Glisten pc is designed to stick to polished metals . few things impress me in the coatings world like this product. I have been refinishing since 1973 and have been a professional painter ever since and I can tell you this stuff is really great.

[Captain D]

Thank you for the reply,

Superbirdtom - You mentioned that you've used the Glisten PC on a polished intake manifold. After it was applied on your friend's Charger, he never had to buff it back up? That sounds pretty wild. And, just for the sake of asking...did the Glisten PC keep it as a high gloss finish or did it turn it to a somewhat dull silver finish after it was applied just out of curiosity?

I read on their website that it works on just about anything polished, so to those who have used it, is this something that could be used on those hard-to-find stainless steel trim pieces to diminish the appearances of surface scratches and faded areas on them? If so, does anyone have any good pics by chance, say, before and after?

It even sounds as if it could also be used on polished headers; that is if it designed for high-temp parts. But, I didn't see it on their website if it is made for that or not.

Thank you again for further replies,
Aaron

[superbirdtom]

All I can say is that if you hate polishing every nook and cranny of your polished engine parts this is the way to go. I don't know if it holds up to header temps as I did not use it for such. it does put a slight orangepeel on the polished metal but not much.   My friends motor is now 10 or so years old and he never maintained it  ,he lives by the water and everything on the engine is either rusted or pitted . but the intake looks brand new.    It is well worth getting a can with the hardner and experimenting with it.

                                                   

[SeattleCharger]

 

[Captain D]

Thank you for the response fellas,

I agree, I may go ahead and give it a test try. There are a few body shops nearby, so I may even see if they happen to have any before I actually go out and spend $$ on it and I don't care for it. Also, I'll probably call Edelbrock tomorrow to see which of the two Mothers' polish they would recommend (the chrome or aluminum polish) or if they would suggest something else altogether...

Thank you again and if anymore experiences, please feel free to post!
Aaron

[elitecustombody]

use regular car wax ,it helps

[SeattleCharger]

use regular car wax ,it helps

looks like a supra?  wide rims, body kit.    and dang it man,   look at that engine, wow  

    sweet car  

[Captain D]

Whoa, the regular car wax looks like it did a great job! I'll definitely keep that in mind  .  Just for the sake of posting, Edelbrock recommended the "Aluminum," as opposed to the "Chrome" Mother's polish on their polished intakes...

Thank you for the replies in this thread,
All the best,
Aaron

[bill440rt]

Aaron,
Give this stuff a try:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-extreme-diamond-clear-8-oz.html

I used it on all my polished aluminum parts on my engine, and the intake manifold. I left the intake manifold cast, unpolished.
It is best applied with a small touch up gun, but I brushed it on the intake. On polished parts, it flows super smooth with no orange peel, on the intake it's totally invisible with ZERO brush marks (foam brush). It also did not alter the polished finish of the aluminum that is so common with other coatings. Best of all, it is designed for high heat applications. This stuff is TOUGH, and super-smelly. 
Check out this thread for engine photos:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52477.0.html

I used it on everything except for the valve covers, because they were up top & easy to polish. The engine was broken in & run on the dyno with the intake cleared & the other stuff, and there were no signs of discoloration.

I've never used the Glisten PC, but the POR-15 factory warehouse is not too far from my home. I've spoken to them several times, and it does not have the temperature ratings as the Extreme Clear does.
Your call, but you might want to check with both Eastwood and POR-15 before making a purchase decision.

[Captain D]

Hi Bill,

Thanks man for the info!  I went ahead and saved the link. At $50 + shipping for a polish, its something to think about I suppose. But, if its as good as you recommend, its worth protecting the parts that we spend lots of $$ on I suppose  . I didn't see where it said that it can be used on all polished items, such as stainless steel and regular chrome. But, I may have missed it since its late, and I can check it out again tomorrow or simply call Eastwood in the morning...

Thank you again for the heads-up!
Aaron

[bill440rt]

Aaron,
It is NOT a polish, it is a clear coat. Check with Eastwood if it can be applied over polished stainless, you shouldn't have to clear coat chrome.
Yes, at $50 bucks for a 1/2 pint, it is wicked expensive. But, that whole 1/2 pint did all of my engine components!     It really flows out well, & I brushed the intake with 2 coats. Other parts that were sprayed got 2 medium coats, also. I used a little HVLP gravity feed touch up gun to spray the parts.

[Captain D]

Sorry bout' missing that it was a clearcoat, it was pretty late I was on last night  . But yeah, I'll give Eastwood a call to d-check the stainless steel n' thank you again for the info!
All the best,
Aaron

[Captain D]

I called the Tech. department at Eastwood and here is what I found out:

The Extreme Diamond Care can be used on stainless steel, chrome, and intakes (but a slight yellowing may occur because it may not hold up to the high temp of the intakes). But, if you apply it once, you're good to go only once whereas the Mothers polish you'll be going over it again and the Mothers won't turn yellowish, etc..

So, this is what I found out today...Some things for me to think about.

All the best,
Aaron

[Captain D]

I just received some of the Eastwood Extreme Diamond Clear. It recommends either their PRE prep or simply using acetone to clean the item to be treated before the clear-coat is applied. Just out of curiosity, will acetone decrease the shine of polished parts? I mean, I realize that the Extreme Diamond Clear is high gloss, so it may be okay ultimately but I am just curious to ask about the acetone...

Thank you again,
Aaron

[SeattleCharger]

is there anyway you can test these things (mothers, acetone, eastwood, etc.) on some other item made of same material?  I know most of us don't have polished aluminum intakes lying around, but its the best way to be sure its going to be how you want it to turn out.  

[bill440rt]

I cleaned my parts with acetone, spraying it with a plastic spray bottle & wiping it dry with a VERY SOFT cotton cloth. My parts were highly polished, extreme care must be taken when cleaning them not to create any swirls or fingerprints. If you clear over them, they are there for good. The acetone is used to remove any polish residue, grease, etc. I think Eastwood doesn't want you to use a petroluem based cleaner, so they suggest acetone? 
I sprayed on two coats using a small, HVLP gravity feed touch up gun. It was applied with fairly low pressure, you don't need to glob it on thick. Apply the 2nd coat slightly wetter than the first. This stuff flowed out very well. When applied correctly, it is practically invisible. My polished parts retained their polished look, whereas most clears will alter it somewhat. I was very happy with it.
I can't comment on the intake or yellowing. I have aluminum heads, with no heat crossover for the choke. So, it stayed relatively cool. Still, the stuff is good to about 600 degrees according to Eastwood.

[superbirdtom]

you can use Methyl ethyl keytone also   mek leaves nothing behind it is the purest cleaning agent I know of.  that is the last solvent i used in my years of painting aircraft.