Polishing inlet pipes - advice on best products/techniques?
Discussion
I want to try and get a decent shine into my engine's inlet pipes, but as with many cars they're fairly rough castings, a far cry from the lovely chromed pipes you see on Alfa V6s etc.
I had a quick go at the weekend with some wet & dry and polish but nothing much came from it. Does anyone know the best products and techniques to getting a decent shine into pipes like this? Is it just a case of hours on end with different sandpapers then polish?
My engine bay as it stands - inlet pipes are ok but nowhere near shiny enough for my liking!
I had a quick go at the weekend with some wet & dry and polish but nothing much came from it. Does anyone know the best products and techniques to getting a decent shine into pipes like this? Is it just a case of hours on end with different sandpapers then polish?
My engine bay as it stands - inlet pipes are ok but nowhere near shiny enough for my liking!
Um...
I have to be the first to ask, but why?
Who is going to see it?
It's going to be a pretty monumental task whilst the inlet is still fitted, due to restrictions in access.
If you really want it to be bling and shiny; get a second-hand one from eBay and have it powder coated. Just make sure whoever does it realises not to do the mating surfaces.
I have to be the first to ask, but why?
Who is going to see it?
It's going to be a pretty monumental task whilst the inlet is still fitted, due to restrictions in access.
If you really want it to be bling and shiny; get a second-hand one from eBay and have it powder coated. Just make sure whoever does it realises not to do the mating surfaces.
I read the title assuming you wanted to polish the inside. I suspect the inlet manifold is galvanized or treated in some other way in which case polishing it will just mean you end up with a mass of rust instead of nice clean looking pipes. If you want it to be shiny, you'll probably have to replace it with stainless steel or another metal which wont rust.
Edited by kambites on Monday 26th January 10:11
kambites said:
I read the title assuming you wanted to polish the inside. I suspect the inlet manifold is galvanized or treated in some other way in which case polishing it will just mean you end up with a mass of rust instead of nice clean looking pipes.
OP; you'll need to remove it, then it's time and effort with sandpaper. Best off buying a spare one from Ebay then you won't need to have the car off the road while you're polishing.
Powercoating as suggested above is definitely a better/easier option!
Really? Obviously I know nothing about that engine but the cars I've had, the manifold has always been bloody heavy. 
In that case you could probably polish it with a Dremel and some small grinding bits if you really want to. As others have said though, coating it in something would be far easier.
In that case you could probably polish it with a Dremel and some small grinding bits if you really want to. As others have said though, coating it in something would be far easier.
Edited by kambites on Monday 26th January 10:19
get em chromed , the polishing takes hours and decent kit so better to send them off , if you get them polished then plan on getting the britemax twins out at least every couple of weeks
Chrome em and just wipe them off with a damp rag when you clean the car
Been there and wouldnt do it again
Chrome em and just wipe them off with a damp rag when you clean the car
Been there and wouldnt do it again
If it's aluminium which I reckon it is then you need to get it smooth first, ie remove all the casting marks, dimples ets. This is achieved with different grades of abrasive paper or flapper wheel. Once the surface is smooth, really smooth, then it will need to be polished using various grades of polishing pads.buffers and soap. It's a lengthy process and the manifold would need to come off.
The other thing to remember is you will have to keep on top of it or it will soon look like something pulled up from a harbour as it will corrode.
I did a couple of these years and years ago on Mk2 Golf GTi 16v when it was very popular, it takes ages and I wouldn't want to do it again
The other thing to remember is you will have to keep on top of it or it will soon look like something pulled up from a harbour as it will corrode.
I did a couple of these years and years ago on Mk2 Golf GTi 16v when it was very popular, it takes ages and I wouldn't want to do it again
Assuming it's ally, and you want it 'chrome like':
You'll need to remove it.
Then, starting with about 240 grit, work your way down through paper grades (240, 400, 600, 1200), at each stage removing hte marks from before.
Then, when you have a nice surface, 3 stages of polishing mop mounted on a drill.
Words of warning:
1. It's a dirty, dirty job.
2. It will take absolutely ages.
3. You'll be picking bits out of every orifice for weeks.
4. You'll wear the prints off your fingers.
5. You'll need a dremel for the millions of tiny bits.
6. It's only ever as good as the previous stages. If you want a good result, you need to be meticulous at every step.
7. When it's done, it will need regular repolishing with something like Peek or Belgom, or it will look very crap very quickly.
TBH you'd be better off giving it to somewhere with a tumble polishing machine and getting them to do it. Polishing metal is not the sim,ple task some seem to think.
You'll need to remove it.
Then, starting with about 240 grit, work your way down through paper grades (240, 400, 600, 1200), at each stage removing hte marks from before.
Then, when you have a nice surface, 3 stages of polishing mop mounted on a drill.
Words of warning:
1. It's a dirty, dirty job.
2. It will take absolutely ages.
3. You'll be picking bits out of every orifice for weeks.
4. You'll wear the prints off your fingers.
5. You'll need a dremel for the millions of tiny bits.
6. It's only ever as good as the previous stages. If you want a good result, you need to be meticulous at every step.
7. When it's done, it will need regular repolishing with something like Peek or Belgom, or it will look very crap very quickly.
TBH you'd be better off giving it to somewhere with a tumble polishing machine and getting them to do it. Polishing metal is not the sim,ple task some seem to think.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff