Painting Intake Mainfold, need opinions

[00firebird]

My first thought was to paint this black and give it some silver stripes.

I had it acid washed locally (http://www.redi-coat.com/photos.html)
and he recommended cleaning it with lacquer thinner and using compressed air on the inside. made sense I guess.
I took it home and wire brushed it because that's been working well for me on my other parts (ALT, valve covers, Lower intake)
but it is still kinda meh/ dirty aluminum looking. Heres some pictures.

I think I'll need a self-etching primer and then some VHT engine paint?
I decided against powercoating but what would you do with it? Leave it alone? I think my engine needs a little color though it is pretty boring.

Here it is so far:
Before:


Currently:


Potentially like this? (someone else's)

[birdie2000]

That looks perfect. That's exactly what I would do.

[Fox Slaughter]

I'd ditch the V6 =)

[00firebird]

I'd ditch the V6 =)

Sure thing right after I win that 500 million dollar lottery.
This car has treated me very well and is now at 160,000 miles, good luck with that.

[Fox Slaughter]

I didn't say ditch the car, drop a V8 in it.

But yes that picture of the engine together look sexy.

[00firebird]

So is anyone here familiar with paint work, I'm not positive if I should clean it with the lacquer thinner first, or just go right to the primer. I've read online some people saying don't get solvents on it before paint work, others saying yes to do it. Should I use it or not?

[Fox Slaughter]

What I do, spray with brake clean (because it completely dries) to clean off grease and such. Scuff it up with some sand paper, lay down primer. Scuff primer up, lay down paint. Wet sand paint, lay down another layer of paint. Light wet sand, clear, repeat clear again.

I'm sure much better ways to do it, but thats how I do it.

[00firebird]

hmm maybe my acid dip guy was wrong this says not to.
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuil... - Part 3.html
Guess I'm taking it back tomorrow.


What is a good way to clean the MATING surfaces? I won't be painting those, obviously.

[SlipStreamZ28]

When I painted my Lt1 intake I just used regular car paint in a can, and a small brush. It's holding up so far and that was like 6-7 years ago. I want to repaint it but the only reason is to change the color.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

This is what I've done with intakes.

Acid based cast aluminum wheel cleaner -> sandblast -> soap and water wash -> carb or brake cleaner -> hit the surface with my MAPP torch -> powder coat

[SlipStreamZ28]

powdercoat would be the best option, I can't imagine it's that expensive.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

You can do all the same steps, just substitute paint for powder. Paint just doesn't like gas or brake fluid

I have a small powder coating setup in the garage that is just big enough for intakes (home oven) but it really sucks when something goes wrong! I have to send the screwed up part out to a friends shop to get the powder baked off.

[00firebird]

yeah thats why i decided against it. and it will be alot easier to avoid painting the mating surfaces with simple tape. What should the mating surfaces be cleaned with?

[Fox Slaughter]

Acetone.

[jderry]

When I painted mine, I just washed it in a hot tank, wiped it with acetone then painted it.