Polishing RB25 Greddy Intake Manifold?

[Tripz]

Just received my intake manifold today, and I would like to polish it up before I install it. What products does everyone use? I'm sure I've seen a polished intake manifold here before, but couldn't locate it. I just went out and bought mothers mag and polish...it doesn't seem to work (or maybe I'm doing it wrong). BTW its cast aluminum.

[Kansei240sx]

Get a dremel, and get to work. LOL

Either that or take it to a shop that does that stuff.

[pdvorak]

good luck. It'll take you a long time to do and alot of patience. Since its cast alumium you need to sand it smooth either with a dremel or the sand paper and then work your way up to 1000 to 2000 grit sand paper then you'll need to buff it out with buffing compound. Then you'll be done.

[Coolwhip]

what I use when polishing is:

with a mouse sander or such..180 or 220 to get the casting offand gradually work my way up to 400ish

then using a sanding block or better by handwetsand using60080010001500

afterwards using a buffing compound and the mother's bullit does the job, then using a buffer on top of that with a soft material brings out the the shine...

but to tell you the truth... its a PITA and takes forever and especially if you don't have the right tools and such.. In the end your better off sending it to someone to do the job.

[Tripz]

What do you guys think of powder coating it chrome? I might go that step since there are benefits, but I'm not sure how powder coat chrome would look as good sand/polished.

[krayton]

havent heard of powder coating chrome.

but im getting mine powder coated wrinkle black. i can post pics later if your interested.

[Tripz]

havent heard of powder coating chrome.

but im getting mine powder coated wrinkle black. i can post pics later if your interested.

Yes please that would be greatly appreciated!

[Blown240sx]

I find pouder coating to be kinda flat. Im a big fan or paint and a good clear.

[IronMonkey]

I find pouder coating to be kinda flat. Im a big fan or paint and a good clear.

What are you talking about? powder coating is just as good as painting but actually stays on better. Some uses 1 stage, other uses 2. The two stage comes out extremely nice. They are very durable and can withstand more heat.

[rotorimp]

I'm going with a wrinkle blue powder coat for something different--I do like the polished manifold. If I do go with the polished look I will take it to someone that does it professionally. It will take you 4-billion hours with a dremel and sandpaper and still not come out half as good as the pros can get it.

[300Plus]

would this be one of the greddy knock offs or the real thing ?

[Tripz]

Alright, I've just called a local shop that does powder coating. They actually don't offer powder coat that looks like chrome, I would have to go with ceramic coat. Now according to the person who I was speaking to, powder coat withstand up to 400 degrees F while ceramic withstand up to 1200 degrees. Ceramic is only 30 dollars more than powder coat, has more benefits, and offer High Lustre ( chrome like finish ). I think I might go that route and go with ceramic coat. If ppl thinks otherwise, I'll like to hear from you.

Edit: Should I go for the High Lustre ( chrome like finish )

or

Satin ( polished aluminum finish )

I assume High Lustre would be more shiner, I'm nervous that it'll be too 'bling bling'
Modified by Tripz at 11:31 AM 11/27/2006

[Blown240sx]

What are you talking about? powder coating is just as good as painting but actually stays on better. Some uses 1 stage, other uses 2. The two stage comes out extremely nice. They are very durable and can withstand more heat.

Painting cost about 50 bucks. If you use high quality stuff.

Powder coat yes stands up to more heat but who in the hell wants high heat in thier intake manifold? I thought that was the point of the intercooler.

1200*F lmao who needs tha kind of heat protection on an intake manifold. That ceramic stuff is for use on turbo housings and stuff in the exhuast area.

[Tripz]

Painting cost about 50 bucks. If you use high quality stuff.

Powder coat yes stands up to more heat but who in the hell wants high heat in thier intake manifold? I thought that was the point of the intercooler.

1200*F lmao who needs tha kind of heat protection on an intake manifold. That ceramic stuff is for use on turbo housings and stuff in the exhuast area.

Your right, but only chrome-like/polish is offered in ceramic (as far as I know), and that's what I'm looking for. It doesnt chip and is impervious to oil, gas, brake fluid, etc. Performance gain may be minimal - none but it will last for a life-time.

[Tripz]

would this be one of the greddy knock offs or the real thing ?

Sorry didnt see this post, it's the real thing.

[Bluefire]

You do realize that if you want it a smooth powdercoated finish you still need to sand down the casting. Otherwise the finish will be just as rough as it is now. As for the heat, any powder coat up to 400 degrees holds up fine. Don't waste your money on ceramic coating, save that for the exhaust side. I have my greddy manifold powdercoated a satin black and its still looks just like it when it came out of the oven.

-Bluefire

[krayton]

^bluefire, got any pics of the satin black?

[Bluefire]

[krayton]

cool stuff, thats a greddy? did u sand it, or did the powder coating cover the spot where the greddy sticker goes?

[Bluefire]

Yeah thats a greddy. I took and angle grinder to the logo section to smooth it out. As you can see the manifold still has a rough texture to it. The only way for the manifold to be coated smoothly is to sand the entire thing down to at the very least 300 grit. 400 would be better.

-Bluefire

[Dano]

Bluefire, I like that color combo!

-Dan

[krayton]

the powder coating messed up my color.

apparently me saying wrinkle black a bunch of times = gloss black on paper.

oh well, i got out of it ok so im sticking with gloss black. i can post some pics if your still interested, but its just a shiny black coat over the manifold and stuff

[BoostFab]

Just received my intake manifold today, and I would like to polish it up before I install it. What products does everyone use? I'm sure I've seen a polished intake manifold here before, but couldn't locate it. I just went out and bought mothers mag and polish...it doesn't seem to work (or maybe I'm doing it wrong). BTW its cast aluminum.

that **** takes a long time to be done. find out how much a polishing shop charges....if it's worth your time to do it your self.

[Tripz]

Yes please Krayton, pics would be nice. I'm actually getting a quote tomorrow (guy is busy and is coming in tomorrow). Depends on much it's going to cost, I'm going to have it chromed or just polish w/ clear coat. Its a hot rod place and they basically chrome all their stuff, so I think they would know what their doing with the intake manifold.

[Spazz]

check out how much plating is, it only adds about 1-2 thousandths over all, and shouldnt be that expensive, and you can buff it after for a mirror like shine if a 20 Uin isnt good enough for ya....

[krayton]

wanted wrinkle black, got gloss black.

but like i said, they made it up. so its just gonna be shiny.