What to polish intake mani with

[Nick_Wa]

All I have right now is a dremel with a MASSIVE amount of attachments... I want to polish the 2.3L intake manifold I got, just wondering what is the best way to do it? Im sure you all know what rough cast metal looks like...

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x282/nick_wa/2008/HPIM1413.jpg


Id like to polish it smooth to a somwhat shiny finish and then either powder coat it or paint it. Anyways just wondering if I need to pick up a bigger sander or somethin else or just use a certain attachement for the Dremel. Thanks all.

[mdcarlson1006]

A Dremel would be better for the small spots I would think, but you would definitely need a bigger sander if you are able to sand it down at all. I know some people have just cleaned, then painted them and they look really nice. I'm not too sure how exactly to do it, but I would definitely want to see what it would look like. Hopefully someone else has more knowledge about this than I do.

[YEVNTRY]

go to caswellplating.com they have alot of good info on ploshing, powdercoating, plating and they have an awesome group of people! they also sell products at a pretty decent price!!!!

[535i]

Myself, I'd suggest finding a nearby truckstop/wash and see about having it acid washed to begin with. Then get out the elbow grease, several different grades of sand paper and get to it progressing from more aggressive grits to finer as you go. Feel free to use your dremel for the tight spots, but rest assured that a dremel alone is no match for that job. Once you've reached the point of 600 grit paper you should be able to start polishing.

Aluminum can be polished to a chrome like finish if you want to put the time into it. Acid washing will get the aluminum as clean as humanly possible with the least amount of effort.