I have a ? for all the talented people out here. Has anyone brought back a polished manifold to look correct. Anyway to get the stock finish back? A course media maybe?
Blast it with glassbeads that should give you the finish you need. The right choice of size of the beads and pressure will show you the right way. Maybe polish the hidden underside before and try it there then first. Maybe a walnut media can also help but I think in your case its to soft. I would use walnut maybe to make the fresh blasted surface look a little bit smoother.
Hi CSheff,
You might consider a trade with someone that has a OEM finish manifold for your polished manifold. Can you post an image?
Cory
Garnet blasting will get you closer, however put blasting tape on the machined surfaces first.
Blasting enough to get soem texture is not going to benefit the engineering numbers and other details. Thought some had looked into recoating the exterior but it also doesn't do much for the same markings and details.
Best choice for a restored car is going to be to find another that someone hasn't blasted already. Lots of past threads on what blasting does to the original finish and look so seek those out.
What would vapor blasting do to polished aluminum? If its been polished to much and the detail marking are being removed from too much blasting what about a ceramic aluminum coating as a local guy does ceramic coating on exhaust manifolds and they look great.
Quote from: Special Ed on June 15, 2026, 07:05:47 AMWhat would vapor blasting do to polished aluminum? If its been polished to much and the detail marking are being removed from too much blasting what about a ceramic aluminum coating as a local guy does ceramic coating on exhaust manifolds and they look great.
Vapor blasting is one of the least changing blasting agents so it would have a NetZero effect on the surface.
You have already admitted you wanted to make the intake look more normal .With that said if you are thinking of buying then you will want to pass on the polished one. If you already own it and just don't want to spend any time or money for a decent looking intake then blast with a aggressive abrasive (think course enough to remove heavy rust) so as to rough up the surface like original fresh cast and you will get what you will get. After blasting needless to say the engineering numbers and trademark will be fainter then they already are because of the polishing process. It will at least not look shiny smooth.The best course of action in the scenario that you already own the shiny intake and you want it to look normal is to sell it and buy one that hasn't been polished.
Thanks everyone
This one looks like it may have cracks...https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/948431121287947/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks
Here is how to get the sand cast look back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AON73PrJZKE
Dang, that looks very effective.
The results in that video look very encouraging but will likely kill any of the cast in markings such as the cylinder numbers if any still exist.
The best that I think you are going to get is a heavy frosted surface and that is obtainable by using 'Black beauty" blast media in a sand blaster.
This is what I use on headers and it will give you a texture that you can feel with your hands.
Other than that, as Bob says, find another manifold and sell this one. There is a market for them
with some street rodders. Many would love to have it.
How much it is worth is difficult to determine. Even the price variations on an original condition one will vary.