Painting Intake

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RedGeneral

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Okay so I have a BRAND NEW Edelbrock performer Intake that I want to paint. Primer or no primer. Will be using DupliColor engine enamel.

Thoughts?
 

Poppy 87

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Others will confirm, but I would treat an aluminum prior to paint, whether it be etching or primer. Obviously follow the paint manufacturer instructions. Good luck

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82sbshortbed

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Do you not like the look of the new aluminum? Don't know too many people paint aluminum intakes. What color is the rest of your motor? Do you have any pics of it?
 

RedGeneral

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Do you not like the look of the new aluminum? Don't know too many people paint aluminum intakes. What color is the rest of your motor? Do you have any pics of it?

I do like the aluminum look however I am going with a gloss black and red paint scheme. Below is what I want to duplicate.
The engine compartment will also be red with a black frame.
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Frankenchevy

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I painted mine with vht engine enamel I believe. I definitely used primer. Can’t remember which primer though. I’ll see if I can find it in my notes or thread.

It still looks good.

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Do you not like the look of the new aluminum? Don't know too many people paint aluminum intakes. What color is the rest of your motor? Do you have any pics of it?
Part of the reason I did mine is aluminum eventually gets oil stained or smudged. I guess I could have clear coated it if I could find a clear engine enamel. As it is now, it wipes clean easily.
 

RedGeneral

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I painted mine with vht engine enamel I believe. I definitely used primer. Can’t remember which primer though. I’ll see if I can find it in my notes or thread.

It still looks good.

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Part of the reason I did mine is aluminum eventually gets oil stained or smudged. I guess I could have clear coated it if I could find a clear engine enamel. As it is now, it wipes clean easily.


Nice Job and valid point on painting it. The Aluminum is always a great look but it won't stay that way especially if its a driver and not a show piece.
 

Blue Ox

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Paint it silver and from 5 feet away people will just assume it's bare aluminum. I don't find clear actually holds up that well. Eventually you'll start seeing corrosion through the clear. As RG said above, for a driver I'd stick with paint.
 

Frankenchevy

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It’s worth noting, that I changed my mind after I ordered the intake. Mine, as some makes/models of intakes are, is available in black from the factory. So there’s that option, too.
 

RedGeneral

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It’s worth noting, that I changed my mind after I ordered the intake. Mine, as some makes/models of intakes are, is available in black from the factory. So there’s that option, too.


Ordering a different color is a good idea, i didn't think of that, so I did look on Edelbrocks website and the Aluminum is the only option available.
 

waterpirate

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I clear coated plenty of intakes back in the day, after a trip through the media cabinet. As already said the oil based clear shows wear and cracks, requires another trip to media to redo. I have no info on the water based stuff. I recently did my new motor in vht spray bombs and was very pleased. Paint work is 90% preparation, and 10% application.
Eric
 

RedGeneral

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I clear coated plenty of intakes back in the day, after a trip through the media cabinet. As already said the oil based clear shows wear and cracks, requires another trip to media to redo. I have no info on the water based stuff. I recently did my new motor in vht spray bombs and was very pleased. Paint work is 90% preparation, and 10% application.
Eric


Did you use VHT for both primer and main color?

Nice Name (Eric)
 

Frankenchevy

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Paint it silver and from 5 feet away people will just assume it's bare aluminum. I don't find clear actually holds up that well. Eventually you'll start seeing corrosion through the clear. As RG said above, for a driver I'd stick with paint.
I tried that too, but I must’ve bought the wrong aluminum color. I did the aluminum front drive brackets and intake manifold to match, but it looked super gaudy.
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waterpirate

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I did not use any primer, GASP! I spent a lot of time cleaning, seriously a lot. Then sanded/polished the metal to smooth prior to applying paint. Preperation.
Eric
 

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I tried that too, but I must’ve bought the wrong aluminum color. I did the aluminum front drive brackets and intake manifold to match, but it looked super gaudy.
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I usually use a metallic. There are some chrome-look paints that may look like that. I've never found them to look like chrome though.
 

RedGeneral

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I usually use a metallic. There are some chrome-look paints that may look like

Other than having it dipped I have not found anything on the market that has the same luster as actual chrome.
 

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