What is the best way to clean a factory cast aluminum W-30 intake to make it look new again?

 

Media blasting would get it spotless. I'm not sure what media would be best to use though i.e. sand, walnut shells, glass etc. Since it's a cast aluminum intake and not body panels I guess you don't have to worry about warping anything.

 

Blasting with glass beads is the traditional way to clean aluminum intakes. Unfortunately, it leaves a surface that is slightly "rougher" than the original cast finish. I have not tried walnut shells but have some now and plan to.

 

Walnut may leave a residue. There are other soft strips. I would use walnut over glass or sand. JMO

 

I have used fine glass at lower pressure. It takes a while at low pressure but worked real well. I also had one that was real greasy and had some stains on it after I cleaned the grease off. The color was so good I did not want to blast it. I took it to a guy that has a large professional grade ultrasonic cleaner and turned out incredible.

I build an engine with an intake with perfect color and another one with a blasted intake. After it is in the car you can't tell a difference.

 

If you don't have a media blaster you can also soak it in a Pine Sol solution before removing the grime with a brush.

 

Thanks guys for the info. Think I will soak it in the pine sol then evaluate...wish I knew who locally has an ultrasonic cleaner. It is a factory W-30 manifold so I want to be careful.

 

Best thing to do is send it to 70Post. It will look correct when you get it back.

 

i glass bead blasted my performer intake it was filthy and stained it came out great but i think a little darker and like Joe mentioned a little coarser.

I have a small ultrasonic at home and a big one at work, if the part is in good shape these will work to clean it beautifully, i have cleaned many small brass jets and MC carbs etc and they come out like new.