Adding bling to the stock manifold and heat shield

[elementalwindx]

Anyone here have tips for getting this job done easiest and best? I'm putting togeather a nice $2,000 6bolt for my 95 GSX and I want this motor to look pretty spiffy compared to the last two pieces of crap I owned.

Looking to make it as shiny as possible and I suppose putting a few coats of high temp clear on them.

 

[Thomas91169]

umm, you could pick up a Chrome heat sheild from JM Fabrications. its square and looks badass IMO, i had one until i sold the car. costs 50 bucks.

i havent heard of any hi-temp anything lasting more than a few minutes on a manifold.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

I buffed mine forever with a wire wheel and it still had a brownish look to it. The metal looks nasty in all the tiny pok marks. I've seen pictures of them painted. Not sure how well it'll hold up though.

 

[elementalwindx]

sorry I ment the intake manifold and exhaust heat shield. NOT the exhaust manifold .

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Intake manifold can be buffed and clear coated. You might look for pictures of painted heat shields in the gallery and ask the owners how it's held up to heat.

 

[elementalwindx]

Intake manifold can be buffed and clear coated. You might look for pictures of painted heat shields in the gallery and ask the owners how it's held up to heat.

A simple buffing will get rid of all the pitting and make it 100% shiny?

 

[99gst_racer]

If you polish the intake manifold, definitely make sure you clear coat it afterwards.

As for the exhaust manifold heatshield, I would either have the stocker powdercoated or purchase a JM Fab aftermarket shield. I've personally had both. Pic #1 is my powerdercaoted stocker. It is a fake chrome finish. Looks pretty good IMO. Pic #2 is my JM heatshield. Im also had it cutout for my 38mm Tial hanging off of runner #1....

 

[devlish]

i used 1500 degree flat black paint on my manifold, it's lasted all summer so far, about 8k-10k miles on it. not a flake yet. sandblasted it first, and then gave it about 6-7 light coats of paint.

i also tried the 1500degree silver engine paint ("aluminum look" i think it was called) came out looking chrome. looked great for about 5 miles, then peeled. that's when i sandblasted it and went with the black. and like i mentioned, still looks good.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

A simple buffing will get rid of all the pitting and make it 100% shiny?

I'll have to try that again in the future. I couldn't find my polish at the time and just had it off to inspect everything after buying it.

The rusty brown is just not flattering.

 

[Tx97GSX]

Here is my stock heatshield when I first sanded and polished it. The only reason mine ever changed colors is because I have a stupid exhaust leak.

 

[RedRex02]

What did you use for your valve cover?

Also the aluminum or chrome paint, if it has the same high temp rating, how would it peel when the flat black didn't?
Jon

 

[99gst_racer]

Also the aluminum or chrome paint, if it has the same high temp rating, how would it peel when the flat black didn't?

I'm guessing this comment was directed toward devlish.....

Judging from his post, it sounds like the first attempt, he did not sandblast it and that's probably why the finish did not retain itself. And the second time around, he sandblasted it and the paint adhered better.

 

[Tx97GSX]

My Valve Cover and Heatshield were polished by hand.

 

[DROOPY209]

tx97gsx my valve cover looks exactly the same as yours....

what do you use to keep it shiny?

 

[Tx97GSX]

Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish or this other Metal polish that you can get at walmart, it's in a white and blue bottle(can't remember the name of it.)

 

[elementalwindx]

hmm so far ive used a 5000rpm electric grinder with 60grit sand paper on my intake manifold and he got rid of the pitting instantly, but now I need to get into the smaller areas so I need to find something for a dremmel or drill. Any ideas guys?

After I sanded it, I used a buffing wheel on my drill and some weird "chrome" buffing material that was like chalk to give it a shine and damn it looks just like chrome now. How can I keep that look? Use some high temp clear coat engine paint?

I think I'm going to go for the same look on my valve cover, except use the 60grit sand paper and remove the DOHC and other such markings to make it a flat silver polished "chrome" vc

 

[devlish]

I'm guessing this comment was directed toward devlish.....

Judging from his post, it sounds like the first attempt, he did not sandblast it and that's probably why the finish did not retain itself. And the second time around, he sandblasted it and the paint adhered better.

i sandblasted it BOTH times. you tell me why the chrome didn't last?!?! i can't figure it out. but the black is great, and i like that look better. the cap said ALUMINUM, and i kid you not, it looked freakin' chrome! not what i wanted anyways, i wanted the metal look, but NO CHROME. so i wasn't really upset when it flaked, i just redid it.

FYI, the pipes and Valve Cover are powdercoated Black Chrome...

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[elementalwindx]

i sandblasted it BOTH times. you tell me why the chrome didn't last?!?! i can't figure it out. but the black is great, and i like that look better. the cap said ALUMINUM, and i kid you not, it looked freakin' chrome! not what i wanted anyways, i wanted the metal look, but NO CHROME. so i wasn't really upset when it flaked, i just redid it.

FYI, the pipes and Valve Cover are powdercoated Black Chrome...

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That picture does your VC no justice then, that vc looks spray painted black with a signel layer of clear

 

[devlish]

That picture does your VC no justice then, that vc looks spray painted black with a signel layer of clear

TRUE. in real life, it has a very deep luster to it, and looks friggin amazing (to me at least)

the entire engine bay still needs a little attention, but it's getting there. however, the pic was to show my manifold. nothing bling bling, just clean. the bolts have since been painted too, and are not RUSTY anymore

 

[Attack Eagle]

you can take the stock manifold headt shield a scotchbrite pad and some water and CLR cleaner and get them shiney/not chrome.

You just have to wipe them off IMMEDIATELY after you get them out of the sink or the water will oxidize the shield again.
mine lasted shiney for over a month. I haven't looked recently but it is still better than it was.

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compare the upper and lower in this pic.

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[matt97gst]

I gave my engine bay a face lift using mother polish with a dremel and the small wire brush attachment. Pretty easy - just takes some time and lots of rags. I also purchased a spark plug cover off ebay along with some stainless bolts for the valve cover and heat shield. Before and after

 

[elementalwindx]

Very nice. I did the intake manifold and vc and they are just about finished. The intake manifold doesnt look that hot but it looks better than it did. It'll probably look better installed and in the engine bay since I made alot of mistakes.

Putting about 10 coats of clear 500deg engine enamel on the vc.

 

[gunner52]

just last weekend i painted my heat shield with 1300-2000 F flat silver paint its the one with the flames on the can so far its held up good but at the same time its only been a week ill take some pics and post link a little bit later