Anyone ever paint their intake manifold?

[alia176]

You guys all fancy

 

[ColoradoBoy]

I'll add one...

VHT High Temp Black with Clearcoat

 

[Broski]

Painted still looks good 10 later

 

[mudgudgeon]

Is the intake manifold raw aluminum from the factory? The combination of oil and oxidation on my 94 makes it look like failing metallic paint, so I wanted some confirmation before hitting it hard with a wire brush and solvent. I'm OE so it's in original state +30 years.

Yes it's raw. Raw aluminium forms an oxide layer when it's cast. This naturally protects the surface from corroding.
Over time the oxide layer breaks down and corrosion sets in.
Avoid scratching it. Wire brush will annihilate the oxide layer.
Avoid polishing with an abrasive polish.
Avoid using caustic chemical degreasers. Alkali/base heavy degreasers will strip the oxide layer and cause corrosion.

If there's corrosion present, this needs to be removed, and etch primed before you paint

 

[reklund5]

Mine is cerakoted and looks great!

 

[mudgudgeon]

Mine is cerakoted and looks great!

View attachment 3787868

Minty!!

 

[Malleus]

Before

After beadlasting, w/ VHT clearcoat (the paint sucks on anything approaching warm, but this has lasted two years, so far):

 

[Malleus]

FWIW, don't "cure" it as instructed.
Before:

After oven cure, as per instructions:

These were the test parts, before I painted the intakes. I did not cure the intakes. They've done fine without it.

 

[nashqadri]

I just got done painting my valve cover as my rebuilt engine is nearing completion. Anyone ever paint the upper/lower intake manifolds? Search and couldn’t find any pictures.

I’ve got them cleaned up and need to decide paint or leave raw.

View attachment 2141306

I spray painted using a $12 rattle can from O’Reilly. It is high temperature engine enamel.

 

[Corbet]

But good info for those headed down this path.

 

[Proven]

I sprayed mine with soap until they turned silver....then I figured that was good enough for a 25 year old truck.