Manifold clean up

[crossply]

I've got an old alloy Lanspeed manifold that i want to clean up and use.
I'd like to look at either polishing it up or having it painted or coated.
Can anyone give me some feedback on which would be the best way to go with it so it will look good but still be easy to maintain?
Thanks,
Paul

[CraigA]

Sandblast then use a clear lacquer like this http://www.ppc.au.com/topcoat_glistenpc.htm

[GMB-58FC]

I've got an old alloy Lanspeed manifold that i want to clean up and use.
I'd like to look at either polishing it up or having it painted or coated.
Can anyone give me some feedback on which would be the best way to go with it so it will look good but still be easy to maintain?
Thanks,
Paul

Paul, unless you really want the polished finished id look at getting it coated rather than painted.  I can run through what to do if you want to polish it by hand or you can get it blasted.

Cheers Ben

[fcv85l]

polishing is fine if it is a good casting but continual polishing will be necessary to maintain its look alternatively 2pac or powdercoating would look great and less maintainance

[crossply]

Sandblasting sounds like a good idea, i hadn't thought of that. What sort of finish do you end up with after blasting?

[GMB-58FC]

Sandblasting sounds like a good idea, i hadn't thought of that. What sort of finish do you end up with after blasting?

It depends on what they blast it with but it will be a rougher finish that will need to be cleaned up by hand if your to polish/coat it but nothing major.

[CraigA]

Sandblasting (or preferably glass beading) is the answer. It will give you an as new factory type finish - the Glisten product will maintain the look over time.

If you want a polished look then sandblasting isn't the right choice.

[crossply]

Thanks for the advice Guys,
Does anyone know what it would be worth to have it polished? i like the idea of getting it polished up and then coating it for protection.
If not, I might blast it and and see how it looks.
Paul

[GMB-58FC]

Thanks for the advice Guys,
Does anyone know what it would be worth to have it polished? i like the idea of getting it polished up and then coating it for protection.
If not, I might blast it and and see how it looks.
Paul

Polishing it generally not cheap as there is a fair bit of time involved and labour intensive.  Its not all that hard though so you should have a crack at it yourself.

[crossply]

Yeah, i'm keen to give it a go myself.
Any tips on what to use and how to go about it for best results?
Paul

[zulu]

Paul, I use a place in Coreen Ave Penrith, they polish a lot of bike stuff & are reasonable, about $50 for a rocker cover from memory

In the past I have used a product, (don't think it was the stuff Craig reccommended), but I had a bad result & had to strip & re polish the bits, but I was using the brush on directions.

I find that they hold their lustre well, just give them a go over with Purple Polish now & then.

Gary
 

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Polishing is a filthy business and can take a lot of time depending on the piece. There are polishing kits available from places like Bunnings, but you need to get a smooth surface before polishing, it's a gradual process of using finer sandpapers down to about 800 grit, then polishing from there. If you can get a pro to do it for a reasoinable cost go for it.
I used the POR resto kit with a brush on clear coat and my polished stuff still looks good, I even did the cast finish on my alternator to make it easier to clean.

[GMB-58FC]

Are there any casting marks on the manifold and is painted already???