How do you clean the 'fuzzy' intake?

[B5Burn]

I have tried several off the shelf degreasers and cleaners so far and that manifold still looks like crap. The best product so far was Simple Green Max... I know it's partly the texture, but I have seen some of you with some very clean engine bays... what are you using?

I searched the detailing forum but didn't really find anything..

Any suggestions?

[djwimbo]

elbow grease is a big factor as well.
You want it perfectly clean, remove it and have it sand blasted.
Paint it afterwards with something not so textured and it'll clean easier later.

Simple green is good stuff. We had some good stuff at our detail dept until Jan 1 when the DOT banned it.

[biketsai]

try some laundry soap. Mine was dirty as shit and I got some sand paper that was laying around and it looks great after 5 mins

[Ewok_Fetus]

Use wrinkle paint... A year and a half so far and haven't even had to attempt to clean it...

[B5Burn]

djwimbo: I think you just added a project to my winter to do list... I like the smooth intakes.. wonder what kind of time/elbow grease effort this takes...

biketsai: any pics?

Ewok_Fetus: You must have had to remove everything to paint properly... what a nightmare that must be?

[B5Burn]

Also, Ewok: how did you clean up the top of your motor? Looks pretty shiny... Mine is a mess, she was built to drive, but I want to fancy her up a little.

[biketsai]

I'll try to get a picture tomorrow. Its not completely shiny, but it looks clean.

[Ewok_Fetus]

It honestly wasn't that bad removing the intake manifold... I am a disabled vet with some serious back/hip injuries and I got it out just fine... Took me a while but it isn't as bad as it sounds... As for the valve cover, just simple green and a toothbrush...

[tamadrumr88]

aircraft paint stripper from autozone works wonders! just don't get any of it on your skin

[BONFIRE074]

Also, Ewok: how did you clean up the top of your motor? Looks pretty shiny... Mine is a mess, she was built to drive, but I want to fancy her up a little.

Could always polish your mani too to give it a nice shine..id also like to know how he was able to get his valve cover that clean, im guessing a good cleaning and aluminum polish?

[B5Burn]

You guys kick ass, thanks for the tips. I have been asked to show this week end at a Toyo Driven To Perform event and I have just a few things that need some serious attention. My girl was built to drive, not show... but now I have kind of been bitten by the bug and want to tighten some stuff up.

Here is the before... (sorry for the poor pic)



I'll post an after when I get 'er all done.

[B5Burn]

My wastegate, the top of my motor, and any other smooth metal has some kind of oxidation... maybe CLR will clean it up... hrmmm..

I know, that coolant tank has to go!!

[BONFIRE074]

what pipe is that going through your firewall?

[djwimbo]

If i had to guess that's the air intake w/ the filter where the battery used to be.

Me inspiring somebody to do some work... why does that sound like a bad idea. Another option would be to get it powdercoated. The wrinkle finish is pretty common, I'll see how I like it in person at Waterfest.
I'll probably join that trend just b/c it's black and easy. Only difference is that I'm porting the spare one I have sitting around. That one will get painted and installed.

[B5Burn]

BONFIRE074: djwimbo has it right. My battery is in my trunk. massive air filter unit (plus coils) sit where the battery used to be.

[jlien08]

I used Rustoleum hammered finish spray paint. It's textured, so it hides the imperfections on the IM.