85GTRAGTOP

Now that my engine and tranny are out, the process of degreasing and cleaning begins. Any recommendations on solvents or cleaning techniques for those tough to clean aluminum parts?

2 kwik

if you have the $$$ I would have them all powered coated silver or the new aluminum looks like is polished and stays that way no polishing.

85GTRAGTOP

I have been considering powder coating but to your point...it is expensive. I also have the entire crossmember out of the car (the piece between the two front fenders) and was thinking of having that powder coated.
Valve covers and the rack are what I am looking at now.

2 kwik

it's cheaper per piece if you have alot of stuff

85GTRAGTOP

How about glass bead blasting for cleaning? I realize you need to be careful.

2 kwik

yeah if you use some small media...them clear coat it with some hi-temp..but down the road it will yellow some and peel

85GTRAGTOP

Sounds like powder coating is the way to go... I will most likely powder coat my headers also. I am sticking with the factory headers (as ugly as they are).

93 LX FiveO

do urself a favor and buy some nice headers

nitrous_bob

all you need to do is sand them all down 1000-grit , then polish w/ white rouge
then you can clearcoat them to keep from having to re-polish

you can start w/ 600 or even 250 if you had to rremove a bunch, then work your way to 1000 grit

1500 will do a show quality job.

sowaxeman

+1 Why would you want to re-furb those crappy baby headers. Get some good mandrel bent headers and do it right since its apart. Or are you going for a 100% original job?