Anyone ever clear coat an aluminum intake manifold?

[CK-2]

I’m building a 383 sbc to put in my car. I was planning on having the new aluminum intake ceramic coated. I took it to the coating place and he kinda talked me out of it. He said it wouldn’t look very good. So now I’m looking for something else and I’m considering clear coat.
I just hate how hard it is to keep aluminum looking good.

 

[rdransman]

I've done it. Glass bead it first, then shoot two coats of clear. It will darken slightly and will kinda look like ceramic coating. Cost? Not much more than your time.

 

[CK-2]

It’s brand new in the box, still need to glass bead it?
Would universal be the best choice?

 

[texasking]

I've done a few, including the one on my Camaro done 30 years ago. I always used PPG DX501, then cleared. As rd said above, it does darken it slightly but holds up very well and makes cleaning so much easier.

 

[rdransman]

It’s brand new in the box, still need to glass bead it?
Would universal be the best choice?

The important thing would be to be sure there is no residue of any kind on the aluminum. If its appearance is acceptable to you, just clean it with a good wax and grease remover like PPG's DX-330, or equivalent. I would think that any of Barry's clears would work well, but I'll defer my answer to the gurus that spray every day.

Tex is right. Sealing the aluminum does wonders for cleaning down the road.

 

[CK-2]

Cleaning down the road is my main reason.

 

[jcclark]

There are clears made just for bare aluminum boats.
You may want to look at those.
I am not recommending any certain one, I have not used any yet.
I'm considering this one for my boat, but there are others.

Toon-Brite Protective Clear Coat for Boats

Use Toon-Brite Protective Clear Coat to rejuvenate fading or oxidized metal boat surfaces. Order today. Same day shipping available.

www.wholesalemarine.com

 

[Jim C]

i have clear coated polished aluminum many times. i will spray a light coat of catalyzed spi adpro then clear. it locks on really good. about as well as alsa clear-4-chrome.

jim, i have never seen that before. sounds interesting. for me the only thing that would have me questioning it is that its not a catalyzed product. just an air dry clear. i dont think it would be very chemical resistant BUT every once in awhile i get surprised by a product. if you use it, please post a review. would love to hear your feedback.

 

[CK-2]

i have clear coated polished aluminum many times. i will spray a light coat of catalyzed spi adpro then clear. it locks on really good. about as well as alsa clear-4-chrome.

jim, i have never seen that before. sounds interesting. for me the only thing that would have me questioning it is that its not a catalyzed product. just an air dry clear. i dont think it would be very chemical resistant BUT every once in awhile i get surprised by a product. if you use it, please post a review. would love to hear your feedback.

My intake isn’t polished just cast aluminum and a pretty rough casting IMO.
Wonder how it would differ from polished. I know proper prep is the key to anything. I just want to get it right the first time.

 

[Jim C]

If its cast then just glass bead it first, adpro then clear

 

[CK-2]

So even though it’s still new in the box glass bead it? Also you recommend activating the adpro?
Thanks.

 

[jcclark]

for me the only thing that would have me questioning it is that its not a catalyzed product. just an air dry clear.

That is my main concern too, so far I haven't found a catalyzed version.
I don't like 1K products.

 

[Jim C]

So even though it’s still new in the box glass bead it? Also you recommend activating the adpro?
Thanks.

yeah i would.

 

[metalman]

You may want to look at these: https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating?series=cera_clear
I've used the M160 with good results.
Glass bead will brighten and have a uniform finish. Just be sure to tape it off well to keep the glass out of the interior parts of the manifold.

 

[CK-2]

You may want to look at these: https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating?series=cera_clear
I've used the M160 with good results.
Glass bead will brighten and have a uniform finish. Just be sure to tape it off well to keep the glass out of the interior parts of the manifold.

Does this use a catalyst? What did you use it on?
Thanks.

 

[metalman]

The MC series do not use a hardener and are air dry. The H-series uses a catalyst and needs to be baked.
I used the MC-160 on polished bronze, outdoor exposure, and on polished aluminum parts on a motorcycle engine. Holding up well.
I have also used their firearm finishes (H series / bake) on some pistols, black, OD green, tan, silver etc.
Important to read and understand the prep and applications on the website to decide what is best for your needs.
Prep (after metal finishing) with the MC-160 includes toughly cleaning with T-Butyl Acetate. At the time they had the best cost/deal on that.
I don't have any connection with the company, just used some of the products.

 

[reallylongnickname]

How about clearcoat on polished aluminum rims - Would this stand against winter weather? If it does stand, easy to clean? I'm thinking more along the line of commercial vehicles

 

[MP&C]

We used some "chrome" powder coat that gave the aluminum intake a more polished look..

 

[rdransman]

I've used Universal Clear on aluminum rims before. Clean them well with a wax and grease remover like Ditzler's DX-330 to remove ALL traces of polish. This is very similar to what the factory does (although their process will be more sophisticated and may involved baking them), and what wheel restorers do.

 

[Jim C]

universal or any of the spi clears will work fine. just be sure to shoot some activated adhesion promoter on them first if its polished. if not you will be able to peel the clear off.