Best Intake Paint

[Mr Nick]

I'd love to have my intake powder coated, but it's just not in the budget. So second best, I'd like to paint it myself. What's the best paint to use for an aluminum intake? Also, what should I clean it with first? I'm going to paint it a grey or charcole. (I'd leave it natural finish, but I don't want the bare aluminum to discolor.)

Normal engine paint tends to come off with carb cleaner and other solvents. What about high temp caliper paint?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Nick

[Fesler built]

All paint will be affected by those products, you just use normal two stage automobile paint and dont get anything that will damage paint by it. I just painted my stuff on that Green 67 Blazer and will post a pic soon.

[Mr Nick]

Here is a pic of current condition, pretty clean as is, but will need some prep.

[AButler]

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[Fesler built]

Cheapest way for you is to clean really good with brake cleaner and than sand it down with scotch bright just to make sure its all rough, wipe down with some wax and grease remover and paint, you dont have to prime it but it will take a few more coats of paint to cover, clear and done let dry and install. I will post pics of the Blazer cover I just painted yesterday. I will install it tomorrow

Here is a pic of current condition, pretty clean as is, but will need some prep.

[Mr Nick]

I would powder coat it,but I want the intake and valve covers to match, and I can't afford to do all that. Just bought a new car, and getting a dog soon... Only so much money to go around!

Chris, thanks for the cleaning tips, I wasn't sure the best way to do it. Looking forward to the pictures of the Blazer.



Nick

[cheapthrillz]

If you like the natural color you could always use a high temp aluminum colored paint.

Use brake cleaner to clean it then you mineral spirits to get all of the break cleaner off. Scotch brite wouldn't hurt either, or even a brillo pad. make sure you get a good primer base though....

[pobby_11]

make sure the primer you use says for aluminum most of them do but just make sure also alm. is self healing make sure you prime it within 24 hours of sanding it for maximum bite so all your work doesn't delam down the road...some etch wouldn't hurt either just mist a little on don't need full coverage that really helps you get a bite.

[cad]

Save your money and use POR-20 silver.

[cad]

.......

[cad]

Save your money, time, & effort. Use POR-20 silver. http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=P2&dept=8
Same supplier that makes POR-15 chassis paint.
Clean it with aluma prep and use a cheap 1" foam brush.
I did my intake 4 years ago. I've changed jets 50 times and had race fuel, antifreeze and oil on it. None of that damages it.

[Tony_SS]

Hey Nick, here's what I did in Jan:
I started with a new intake but I didn't want it turning yellow so I cleaned it with a thinner/degreaser solvent and I used the light silver Duplicolor Wheel Paint.


I've used this before to clean up some really rusty wheels and it never flaked once. And the rep I know said it would stand up to the heat as well. So I tried it out and the intake still looks better than new. I used the light silver and have burnt oil on it.. it all just wipes off easily instead of having a porous surface like before. Sorry to sound like a commercial but I'm impressed with it. Wish I had a better pic, but here you can see the intake installed.

[1969CamaroRS]

Save your money, time, & effort. Use POR-20 silver. http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=P2&dept=8
Same supplier that makes POR-15 chassis paint.
Clean it with aluma prep and use a cheap 1" foam brush.
I did my intake 4 years ago. I've changed jets 50 times and had race fuel, antifreeze and oil on it. None of that damages it.

I 2nd Por-20 and Por-15 you can get Gas and Brake clean or just about any solvent on it and it won't do nothing to it.