Aluminum parts?

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mopower440

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I am wanting to get these aluminum valve covers, and i got a bare aluminum street dominator intake and the aluminum water pump. I dont want to paint them because i like the look of the aluminum, but what can you do to keep the stuff clean where it wont get that whitish oxidation/corrosion or whatever that is that gets on aluminum over time..?
Big Block Plymouth Mopar Chrysler Dodge FABRICATED Aluminum Valve Covers 383 440 | eBay
 
Have them anodized. Only thing that will give you long term protection other than paint or powdercoating.
You can wax polished aluminum and it will help protect it.
 
MoparMike1974 said:
Have them anodized. Only thing that will give you long term protection other than paint or powdercoating.
You can wax polished aluminum and it will help protect it.
Click to expand...
As stated, Anodizing will keep them good forever, you will want to get them to the level of polish and shine that you want prior to anodizing
 
Let Leanna powder coat everything. She has a color very close to aluminum.
 
I can't tell you not to purchase those fabricated valve covers but WILL tell you that several sets have arrived here the last few years; all but one set had to be returned because light showed through the welds. The factory "polishing" job also leaves much to be desired from what I've seen, as the bolt recesses and gasket rail are essentially ignored by whomever does the buffing.

The valve covers will oxidize and tarnish over time if they aren't protected somehow. Most like the Zoop Seal products mentioned before work great but they don't last forever and will require occasional polishing touch ups.

The intake will be a lot more difficult to keep clean. Fuel leaks combined with engine heat will be the biggest culprit that will affect not only any current polishing job that it has now, but aluminum is a very porous metal that will absorb fuel, carb cleaner, etc. too. It's what makes used intakes look grungy, splotchy and uneven. You can blast it all clean but unless you protect it in some way it will happen all over again eventually.

I'm happy to help you choose a path. Just give me a call and we can go over your options.
 
CudaChick1968 said:
I can't tell you not to purchase those fabricated valve covers but WILL tell you that several sets have arrived here the last few years; all but one set had to be returned because light showed through the welds. The factory "polishing" job also leaves much to be desired from what I've seen, as the bolt recesses and gasket rail are essentially ignored by whomever does the buffing.

The valve covers will oxidize and tarnish over time if they aren't protected somehow. Most like the Zoop Seal products mentioned before work great but they don't last forever and will require occasional polishing touch ups.

The intake will be a lot more difficult to keep clean. Fuel leaks combined with engine heat will be the biggest culprit that will affect not only any current polishing job that it has now, but aluminum is a very porous metal that will absorb fuel, carb cleaner, etc. too. It's what makes used intakes look grungy, splotchy and uneven. You can blast it all clean but unless you protect it in some way it will happen all over again eventually.

I'm happy to help you choose a path. Just give me a call and we can go over your options.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up on those valve covers! I had no idea being ive seen them on so many cars. It sucks because i REALLY think they look nice, but i aint messing with that kind of bad quality that you may be able to see through the welds..thats terrible! I guess i will go back to the original plan of the wrinkle mopar performance covers.
 
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