[Dmaleck]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me a good way to keep my intake manifold and carb in new looking condition, ive seen alot of them start to pit and start looking old, i was told that i can use a thin coat of clear coat on them so it wont get right down to the actual metal, is this a good idea or no? the engine is going into a truck which might see mud and what not in its lifetime. I would think the clearcoat idea would work...if it gets dirty it would be much easier to just wipe off right? Thanks for input

[curtis73]

All of the clears I've used get yellow/brown over time, even the high-heat engine clear coats. I finally got frustrated and used aluminum-colored paint. It looked a little "metallic" at first, but with heat it calmed down.

One of the secrets is to use a phosphate etcher that is designed to prep aluminum for paint. Otherwise the first time you try to blast it clean with a pressure washer it will probably just pull the paint right off

Do they make a clear powdercoat?

[Dmaleck]

That will fix the intake but not the carb, i would think the carb would get that hot either to make it brown but who knows.

[techron]

Originally Posted by curtis73

All of the clears I've used get yellow/brown over time, even the high-heat engine clear coats. I finally got frustrated and used aluminum-colored paint. It looked a little "metallic" at first, but with heat it calmed down.

One of the secrets is to use a phosphate etcher that is designed to prep aluminum for paint. Otherwise the first time you try to blast it clean with a pressure washer it will probably just pull the paint right off

Do they make a clear powdercoat?

curtis, yes they do make clear powdercoats, they even come in different glosses. they also make translucent powders in some colors. i bought some translucent red and it looks really cool after blasting or polishing the metal underneath.