Polishing Intake?

Thad · 03-30-2002, 10:09 AM

Has anyone ever polished an intake? not port and polish,but just the outer surface.
I've been thinking about polishing my performer intake myself. It gets so dirty whenever i work on the engine, i thought polishing would help with that and help the looks also. Just curious.

Thanks,
thad

drudis · 03-30-2002, 12:29 PM

Polishing is great, but IMOHO, just for show. Too much work to do it yourself (and look "good"), and too expensive to pay to have it done and not go faster

I cleaned my old Cobra intake (while off the car) and sandblasted it. Then clear-coat paint keeps it pretty clean.
Now my NEW MOTOR, that I just clearcoated everything before it went on:

joe4speed · 03-30-2002, 01:07 PM

Everytime I see that car or engine I drool!

Mach 1 · 03-30-2002, 01:52 PM

My freind polished his intake on his 300ZX and it was a nightmare. He spent countless hours and countless dollars on polishing rolls, grinders grease, different grit sandpaper, etc...

It looks awesome, but to much trouble in my opinion.

If you really want to do it, you can get everything you need at eastwood.com

I powdercoated my intake and it looks awesome, and is much easier. How do you post pictures here? I can show you.

joe4speed · 03-30-2002, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mach 1
How do you post pictures here? I can show you.

Where it says attach file on the reply window, go to browse and find the pic you want to post!

I'd like to see it too!

BowTie Eater 5 Liter · 03-30-2002, 07:46 PM

dont do it, i started(and never finished) my stock intake, and it was not worth the trouble.

i put in over 10hrs, and if i could have it powdercoated right now, i would.

big waste of time, unless it is strictly 4shonogo

Mach 1 · 03-30-2002, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JL1314

Where it says attach file on the reply window, go to browse and find the pic you want to post! I'd like to see it too!

see my other topic..."pwdercoated parts"

chatcher · 03-30-2002, 08:32 PM

i say polish it if you have a belt sander a palm sander and a corded drill its really not that hard its just really messy wear a respirator and cover up as best you can i did my bike over this winter frame wheels swingarm and forks it took awhile but it was well worth it it looks great heres a link that might help

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/P.../polishin1.htm

if you have any more ? just ask

gtstang83 · 03-30-2002, 11:21 PM

why not just buy one already polished? i would think that the upkeep would be a lot less work than doing the polishing yourself.nothing some Mother's and a little elbow grease cant keep shiny.
i have been thinking of getting one myself, both for show and go...

Thad · 03-31-2002, 08:45 PM

that is a beautiful engine drudis!

I've been thinking of what i can do to improve the looks of the engine compartment and the intake polishing was one of them. I may or may not do it. The car is going to be down for one to two weeks while the heads get worked on so this would be an opportune time to do this stuff. I've got access to all the facilities and tools that i need for polishing the intake but if it takes a too long of time i might reconsider. I'll polish a small area to see how long it would take me first.
none of this will happen until this semester is over but i'll post pics of what i do and don't do in the engine compartment.

thanks for the replies all,
thad

Thad · 03-31-2002, 08:51 PM

there's something else i just thought of. theres a sand-blasting grit you can use called glass bead. I was told it would give any metals a semi polished look. We've got some at work that i'll try out. let you all know what i found out. Just an after thought.

Mach 1 · 03-31-2002, 09:23 PM

I have and use a "glass bead" blaster at work, and it does not give a semi-polished look.

When you are forcing media into a piece of metal at high speeds, purpose to clean off paint and corrosion, its not logical to get a polished look.

It does give a finer finish than say 80 grit sandpaper, but its far from polished.

maybe your blaster is different. let me know.

chris91LX · 04-01-2002, 12:15 AM

I polished my Cobra intake very nicely by using a wire wheel on a die grinder, turned out beautiflully. I was just trying to clean it up, it was filthy, but it came out awesome. Don't have any pics though.

Fostang · 04-01-2002, 12:25 AM

If it's the 89-93 style upper intake with that thick powder coat don't even try sanding it. First mix some strong paint removing chemicals muriatic acid might help but spray it on minutes before removing it with a pressure washer or a wire brush and a steady stream of water. Allow the mixture of various paint removers to sit over night first. After you've removed this coating the rest is easy by using a 320 grit greaseless paste or abbrasive rolls. The upper intake is a piece of cake. The lower with off set ground is tideous. Good luck

Thad · 04-01-2002, 07:32 AM

The glass bead blasting was something that was told to me so i couldn't tell you from experience. i'll try it out on a piece of scrap aluminum and let you know Mach1.
I actually had to blast it once, with normal grit, because the previous owner had painted it silver and it came off just by touching it. big mess!
No powder coating on it either, so that's a plus.

03-30-2002, 10:09 AM	#1
Thad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Stuart, FL US Posts: 192	Polishing Intake? Has anyone ever polished an intake? not port and polish,but just the outer surface. I've been thinking about polishing my performer intake myself. It gets so dirty whenever i work on the engine, i thought polishing would help with that and help the looks also. Just curious. Thanks, thad __________________ 90 LX 5.0 ,bored 302, MSD 6AL, Twisted Wedge TrickFlo HDs, World class T5, BBK fender cold air induct., 70mm TB,Edelbrock performer Intake, aluminum Drve shaft, 3.55 Gears, Long Tube Headers to Flowmasters.

03-30-2002, 12:29 PM	#2
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Polishing is great, but IMOHO, just for show. Too much work to do it yourself (and look "good"), and too expensive to pay to have it done and not go faster I cleaned my old Cobra intake (while off the car) and sandblasted it. Then clear-coat paint keeps it pretty clean. Now my NEW MOTOR, that I just clearcoated everything before it went on: __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

03-30-2002, 01:07 PM	#3
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	Everytime I see that car or engine I drool! __________________ *Joe!* 1988 GT, 13.58@101mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:www.joe4speed.com

03-30-2002, 01:52 PM	#4
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	My freind polished his intake on his 300ZX and it was a nightmare. He spent countless hours and countless dollars on polishing rolls, grinders grease, different grit sandpaper, etc... It looks awesome, but to much trouble in my opinion. If you really want to do it, you can get everything you need at eastwood.com I powdercoated my intake and it looks awesome, and is much easier. How do you post pictures here? I can show you. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

03-30-2002, 07:46 PM	#6
BowTie Eater 5 Liter Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada, The Best Place In The World Posts: 871	dont do it, i started(and never finished) my stock intake, and it was not worth the trouble. i put in over 10hrs, and if i could have it powdercoated right now, i would. big waste of time, unless it is strictly 4shonogo __________________ 1984 Bronco II, 36" Michelin Military Tires, 95 EFI 5.0, NP435 Tranny, NP208 Doubler, NP205 Transfer Case, Fill Size Solid Dana 44 Front End, WH Progressive Rate Rock Crawling Coils, Bronco 8.8 Rear, Skyjacker Softride Leafs, 5.13 Gears, Detroit Locker. Final Crawl Ratio Of 175:1 88 GT Best 60ft. 2.181 Best ET 14.350 Best MPH 98.01 ~WRECKED!!!!~

03-30-2002, 08:32 PM	#8
chatcher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: butler pa Posts: 303	i say polish it if you have a belt sander a palm sander and a corded drill its really not that hard its just really messy wear a respirator and cover up as best you can i did my bike over this winter frame wheels swingarm and forks it took awhile but it was well worth it it looks great heres a link that might help http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/P.../polishin1.htm if you have any more ? just ask __________________ 92lx wannabe saleen

03-30-2002, 11:21 PM	#9
gtstang83 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: new windsor,ny Posts: 75	why not just buy one already polished? i would think that the upkeep would be a lot less work than doing the polishing yourself.nothing some Mother's and a little elbow grease cant keep shiny. i have been thinking of getting one myself, both for show and go... __________________ 650 Holley DP,Flowmaster American Thunders,H-pipe,American Racing rims, short throw shifter, T-5 , Zoom clutch, Dynagear timing,Kenwood stereo,FMS sparkplug wires,GTS smoked light covers

03-31-2002, 08:45 PM	#10
Thad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Stuart, FL US Posts: 192	that is a beautiful engine drudis! I've been thinking of what i can do to improve the looks of the engine compartment and the intake polishing was one of them. I may or may not do it. The car is going to be down for one to two weeks while the heads get worked on so this would be an opportune time to do this stuff. I've got access to all the facilities and tools that i need for polishing the intake but if it takes a too long of time i might reconsider. I'll polish a small area to see how long it would take me first. none of this will happen until this semester is over but i'll post pics of what i do and don't do in the engine compartment. thanks for the replies all, thad __________________ 90 LX 5.0 ,bored 302, MSD 6AL, Twisted Wedge TrickFlo HDs, World class T5, BBK fender cold air induct., 70mm TB,Edelbrock performer Intake, aluminum Drve shaft, 3.55 Gears, Long Tube Headers to Flowmasters.

03-31-2002, 08:51 PM	#11
Thad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Stuart, FL US Posts: 192	there's something else i just thought of. theres a sand-blasting grit you can use called glass bead. I was told it would give any metals a semi polished look. We've got some at work that i'll try out. let you all know what i found out. Just an after thought. __________________ 90 LX 5.0 ,bored 302, MSD 6AL, Twisted Wedge TrickFlo HDs, World class T5, BBK fender cold air induct., 70mm TB,Edelbrock performer Intake, aluminum Drve shaft, 3.55 Gears, Long Tube Headers to Flowmasters.

03-31-2002, 09:23 PM	#12
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I have and use a "glass bead" blaster at work, and it does not give a semi-polished look. When you are forcing media into a piece of metal at high speeds, purpose to clean off paint and corrosion, its not logical to get a polished look. It does give a finer finish than say 80 grit sandpaper, but its far from polished. maybe your blaster is different. let me know. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

04-01-2002, 12:15 AM	#13
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	I polished my Cobra intake very nicely by using a wire wheel on a die grinder, turned out beautiflully. I was just trying to clean it up, it was filthy, but it came out awesome. Don't have any pics though.

04-01-2002, 12:25 AM	#14
Fostang Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 599	If it's the 89-93 style upper intake with that thick powder coat don't even try sanding it. First mix some strong paint removing chemicals muriatic acid might help but spray it on minutes before removing it with a pressure washer or a wire brush and a steady stream of water. Allow the mixture of various paint removers to sit over night first. After you've removed this coating the rest is easy by using a 320 grit greaseless paste or abbrasive rolls. The upper intake is a piece of cake. The lower with off set ground is tideous. Good luck __________________ 67' Fastback-Supercharged 4.6 DOHC Cobra, T-56, 8.8 more to come. 67' Coupe-EFI, AOD, 8.8 90 Gt-Supercharged,MAF,TB,1.7's ripper, bassani x, 3.55's, 01' cobras, headers. 89'GT-Supercharged,Heads,Cam,Intake,TB,MAF,power pipe,headers,offroad exhaust,black bullits.

04-01-2002, 07:32 AM	#15
Thad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Stuart, FL US Posts: 192	The glass bead blasting was something that was told to me so i couldn't tell you from experience. i'll try it out on a piece of scrap aluminum and let you know Mach1. I actually had to blast it once, with normal grit, because the previous owner had painted it silver and it came off just by touching it. big mess! No powder coating on it either, so that's a plus. __________________ 90 LX 5.0 ,bored 302, MSD 6AL, Twisted Wedge TrickFlo HDs, World class T5, BBK fender cold air induct., 70mm TB,Edelbrock performer Intake, aluminum Drve shaft, 3.55 Gears, Long Tube Headers to Flowmasters.

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