Thread: Cast Aluminum Look?

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I am told by the local guy who knows everything that there is a paint, or some kind of durable coating, that will make a part look like cast aluminum. In this case the stock intake for my '76 Cadillac engine. Cadillac wizards tell me that with the fairly mild modifications my engine is getting, the stock manifold will be okay for my needs.

Can anybody tell me who, if anybody, makes a product like this?

Thanks,

Jim

VHT advertises a paint called "Nu Cast". It is for restoration of engine parts. I haven't used it, so can't offer personal experience.

Powder coating has some really neat colors available including
several aluminum finishes as well as chrome. We have had
aluminum manifolds powder coated with an aluminum finish
with a clear coat overlay (the manifolds were stained and didnt
clean up very well) After running one manifold for a couple of
years, you could see some darkening of the clear coat but it sure
was much better than a bare aluminum manifold that was two
years old.

mike in tucson

Eastwood seems to be a good source for this kind of stuff. You might check them on line. There is a product called cast-blast that is supposed to give you a fresh blasted appearance, but I have never used it.

Don

Media blast it and then seal it ,looks like "old" cast aluminium,or media blast then u could polish it like aluminium,easiest and long lasting with little effort in upkeep is going to be aluminium powder coat look.If u were to media blast then remove all the casting seams and sand the runners smooth and then have it silver powder coated would be about the cleanest its goin to look...................I think pat Mcarthy has powder coated some intakes silver maybe he will see this and post some pics.If u just want to spray bomb it on the cheap to make it not look soo bad,{{brace urself for this}}spray can bright fence galvanizing The stuff looks good too,for what it is.

I'v heard about using any silver color hi heat paint that will go to 1,200 * will look like newley cast aluminum after a couple heat cycles, never tried it.

I appreciate the input, gentlemen.

Since I really don't need one of Mr. Edelbrock's products for this particular engine I'll be satisfied with a stock intake that just looks like it's aluminum.

If I can make it look aluminum that will be the only way it compares, because that cast iron factory sucker weighs FORTY SEVEN POUNDS!

Again, thanks.

Jim

Jim,
I have used the NU-CAST and it did a reasonable imitation of cast alum. I would media blast, but with something that doesn't take the cast look off, then (after experimenting a little on somethng else) shoot lite coats so the cast alum. will come thru. With all of the pieces on the Cad. intake it should look good. Besides, the cost is very little if it is not to your liking.
Jim

Thanks, Jim, will do.

It appears that it will be a handsome engine (if I can apply that word to it) and it has to be a fairly low-bucks project.

I'm glad to hear from somebody from this general area. You probably know that Roanoke is a few miles north of Fort Worth.

Jim

Yep, you are up close to TMS. I think that the cad. motor is nice and if I ever build a pickup I will use one of the 500's in it because of the power they put out and their lite weight.
What are you putting this in?
Jim

A '70 F100, Jim. I had planned to rebuild the tired 360 (light duty transmission with three on the column) that came in the truck and make do with that, but plans change.

I was given a really ragged-out '76 deVille that was disgustingly ugly, but it would start and run (sort of). I was not well received at home when I came dragging it in.

I took out the engine and the TH400 that was attached to it and took the rest to the crusher. The truck has a nine inch rear end with 3:25 gears, which I am told will be good for the application.

I'm trying to be "retired" (HAH!) so I'm relegated to stealing money out of Jane's purse to finance things these days. Read that "progress is slow".

As you say, the Cad 500 engine is light (lighter than the 360) and makes gobs more torque and will get better mileage to boot. At least that's what I'm telling my wife.

Maybe we should get together for a glass of tea some day. Depending on what I can swipe out of Jane's purse, of course!

Jim

You are right about gas mileage, a friend of mine had one in a 1 ton panel truck and drove all over U.S. and he told me he was getting 20+ mpg. One of the things I like about the 472/500 is that all of the accessories are on top and compact. I think you can use the Eldaroda oil filter adapter if you have problem with clearance. Chassis Engineering has some trick motor mounts for swap and Speedway has some parts also.
I am still working for a living, but hope to have my '32 going in a few weeks and maybe make some of the local get togethers. They are having a cruise in Granbury this whole weekend (Sat.-Mon.) and I hope to spend some time there. Anyway we might can get together otherwise, so we'll keep in touch.
Jim