Cleaning the Aluminum Surround

CobraMan · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2003, 08:33 PM

Anybody have a secret on how to keep this looking shiny?

SuperHart · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2003, 08:50 PM

When I purchased my oil cooler shroud from Enzo he sent along a Scotch Brite pad and a can of WD40 with instructions to spray on some WD40 and lightly scrub the Scotch Brite pad back and forth to clean the aluminum. To bring up a nice polish after that apply some Mother's Aluminum Polish. If you want to seal the polished aluminum to retain the shine there is a product called ZoopSeal available. It's expensive but supposedly it works very well.

Geary L. Sarno · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 10:24 AM

Stacey Davids highlighted the Zoops Seal product on the "Trucks" TV show. It looks impressive. A single coat
will protect wheels for several years. Just rinse off with clear water when required.

-Aggressor

Mr.Fixit · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 11:36 AM

I wouldn't trust product "descriptions" from TV programs, they are just advertisements. It doesn't take long to polish aluminum once it dulls, enjoy that you have such a nice engine bay to spend some time shining up.

Tony Radford · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 12:49 PM

I recently picked up a Zoop Seal kit and treated my intake and water pump. I'll be doing the heads tomorrow when they come back from the polisher. My reasoning behind spending $130 for treatment centers around the fact that these engine parts are easy to treat sitting in my lap in a lawn chair. There are spots I will never be able to reach once the engine is reassembled and in the car. I guess I won't know if it works until I see premature oxidation prior to the 2-3 year advertised longevity. That area below the plenum of a Vic. Jr. intake will be a bear to clean in the future.

Dan Semko · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2003, 07:50 PM

I applied Zoop Seal to our bare aluminum CSX and it does work exceptionally well. The product has to be completely used within 2 weeks of mixing Parts A & B and must also be refrigerated. I applied Zainos afterwards to add luster and it really does clean easily with Dawn soap and warm water. If there's a place that needs retouching, apply the second coat to cover an entire area or it will look splotchy. Also apply a "thin" NOT thick layer as they direct of it will be a pain to even out. If you want to see pictures of the car check out the listing for CSX 4148 on ebay.