Polishing manifolds and such

[motorvated]

So im picking up the new motor for my car monday. Its going on an engine stand, and I plan on doing some work to it before boosting it. Im going to pull the valve cover off and the intake mani, to polish them. I figure I have some time before the motor goes in, and I want it to look great when it does go in. I mean..what better way to dress up a motor then making the block look brand new, polishing the intake mani/valve cover and putting a turbo on it? There is no better way :)

So m question is..whats the best way to polish this stuff? Share how you did it, and post some pictures of your end results. I want it so shiny you need :cool: to look at it..

[TROLL]

Its a skill that is learned through trial and error, and DOZENS OF HOURS of work. Reread that. Polishing sucks, haha. It may seem expensive to pay a professional to do it, but believe me, they are earning their money.
I believe www.caswellplating.com has a forum and a manual on how to polish, but unfortunately its not so simple. Gotta pay your dues. If you want some basic polishing gear though I have a bunch that I bought and never used. I think I'm just going to leave it to someone else, ha.

[SvicksTc]

You realize your going to have to polish it like every week to avoid oxidation, and once it oxidizes its a hell of a pain to work it out...

but here is a small reference and some tools you will need
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=142367&highlight=polishing+valve+cover

[motorvated]

that was my next question...how long does this ISH stay shinny? If it constantly needs to be cleaned, I cant handle that :(

[SvicksTc]

yes it needs much love to keep the shine and avoid oxidation, waxing helps but it still needs polishing i would say bi-weekly depedning

[Got Insulin?]

Actually, to avoid oxidation, alot of people get clear powdercoat or clearcoat sprayed on top of their polished pieces.

[SvicksTc]

Actually, to avoid oxidation, alot of people get clear powdercoat or clearcoat sprayed on top of their polished pieces.

never thought of that, but im sure the clear is not going to hold up to the heat to to long and it will have to be done over again, but im assuming it would last a decent amount of time, and as for clear spray getting it to stick would seem like a problem, no?

[TROLL]

I dont think it oxidizes that quickly, a quick polish once a week or every other week should keep things looking great.... with a more serious touchup once or twice a year. Thats what I've heard at least...

[Got Insulin?]

I only have limited experience with it, but I know that there is some rediculously high-temp clears and powders that you can get that will hold up to the realitively small amounts of heat generatedby the average car. Exh. mani is a different story entirely...
However, that's why I mentioned clear powder, too. I know that depending on the applicaion, it's strength and temperances can be quite a bit in front of any paint or clear you could use.

[motorvated]

Hmm...Seems like a pain in the ass actually lol.

[SvicksTc]

well if it was easy everyone would do it haha, just be baller and do it

[motorvated]

ya..i might. Going to look into it more. I plan on doing this motor right, and I think having a nice looking motor would be awesome and worth the work. Though, its a pain in the ballz

[SvicksTc]

ahhh all great things require work......

[motorvated]

thanks yoda :)

[Got Insulin?]

ahhh all great things require work......

Truth. OP, while you have it out and just chilling, do what you want to do. I see alot of people on not only this site, but others, that have to throw their engine together out of necessity or because they're in a hurry and they'll never be happy with it. While you have the leisure, explore your options. If you really want to polish, it is tough at times, but the result defiantely outweighs the work involved. Do it once and do it the right way, the way that will make you break into a stupid grin every time you think about the car and what's chillin' under the hood. But like Bry said, you could probably get away with just polishing them up real good once and then detailing them when you have the chance, or the "motor"vation. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[TROLL]

you can also chrome it... much easier upkeep.

[motorvated]

chrome it eh? any idea on prices for this...?

[TROLL]

www.mirrorfinishpolishing and www.rbchroming.com are both on supraforums... they both do really nice work, and are both priced similarly. chroming can tend to be more expensive usually though...

[motorvated]

I think i'll try to polish it all...I have all the tools, just need metal polish. I think I can have this stuff uber shiny, and i'll just have to keep up with it. I mean, its not like it wont be worth it :)

[TROLL]

well practice... get good, then do some of my stuff too... haha

[rodder]

you don't need to polish aluminum that often you guys are crazy. I polish twice a year. Once you get it shiny it'll stay that way for a while. To keep it shined up to a mirror finish almost like chrome takes some elbow grease once in a while but it's not nearly as bad as you guys are making it out to be, especially with tools like the powerball (or a real polishing set) and a cordless drill.

Of course getting straight cast aluminum polished up that nice is gonna be a huge pain in the ass. I've only done small parts and even the small ones take hours and hours to get really nice. When the part has little crevices and ridges sometimes it's impossible to polish the part completely without the right ($$$$$$) tools.

http://www.andywdesign.com/misc_images/s10/S10engine.jpg

[motorvated]

I have a dremel and a mothers power ball...OO and almost a year to do it :) So I can take my time until its perfecto

[rodder]

then do it. :thumbup:

[motorvated]

YA....im reading up on it now. This is a go. I get the motor monday, and i'll probably start polishing stuff tuesday. Hell, I may start monday. Im trying to see if there is anything to do to remove all the crud on them. Like a bleach bath or something. Maybe simple green

[TROLL]

If you're meticulous and you've got time to spare then yeah, go for it. You'll need sandpaper from 80 up to 1000 grit... some guys go up to 2000 grit even. Then they get out a buffing wheel and go through 2 or 3 stages of polish as well. The more power tools you can use the better but a good amt. will just have to be done by hand, no way around it.

[rodder]

take em to the car wash booth and degrease them with the powerwasher and a couple of good fine wire brushes... and if no one's around you can bring your own special "soap" from home if you want. That's what I did the last time I had my trans apart to clean out the case.

[motorvated]

Well I should list all the tools I have for this..
Power washer
Simple Green/Purple Power.
Sand paper from 80-1200
Dremel with brass wheels
Drill with mothers power ball
Buffer with two differant pads.

I need metal polish...i might actually have that too.

[motorvated]

BTW..for the sanding process, do you guys recommend dry or wet sanding?

[TROLL]

go to caswell's site and read their guide on polishing... as far as the basics and little tips and tricks go, its the best to get started on.

[motorvated]

thanks. cant wait to start!! I'll post progress pictures if you guys want?

[SvicksTc]

pics or ban hahaha, def post up some pics

[motorvated]

will do..be4,during and afters :)

[Eclipse GSX 61]

Polishing is one a bitch to do, and two a bitch to keep shiny over time. My valve cover has gone to crap so I just decided I'm going to get it powdercoated someday.

Polishing Guide (http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/213484-polishing-102-my-version-newbies.html)