Dicky Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 My 350's been standing outside for the last few months and I've noticed that the aluminium alloy plenum and other aluminium engine parts are starting to discolour with small white dusty deposits. They seem to rub off with a bit of effort but pretty sure they'll come back. Anyone have the same problem and better yet found a solution to protect it ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 (edited) Get it painted / polished? Edited June 5, 2017 by Strudul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 It's not just the plenum it's the ally parts at the front of the engine as well. Don't fancy painting/polishing them, was hoping once rubbed down they could be sprayed with some protective covering to maintain the ally look. Was wondering about clear coat spray but worried it might discolour and peel off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I used to use Carnauba wax on a polished plenum. Protects from moisture which is the cause of oxidisation which is what you're seeing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Aly wheel cleaner should help to restore them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Do you know if you can get high temperature clear coat, similar to brake calliper paint? The wax idea sound good but think it might not last long given the temps involved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 It's fine trust me, used wax for a couple of years with no issues. Think of the wax on the exterior of the car on a blazing hot summers day. The wax creates a nice seal on the plenum, resists moisture, and withstands the temperatures. I never tested clear coat on a plenum, although tested the theory on a polished strutt bar. The clear coat flaked and came off eventually. Polish the plenum, seal with 2 coats of carnauba wax. Wait 24hrs between wax applications. Each time you wash the car add one coat of wax. That's what kept my plenum oxidisation free. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 You can get VHT lacquer, but I'm not sure how well it will hold up before yellowing or peeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 The trouble is once the alloy they use for engine castings has started to oxidize, unless you can remove every trace, it will just come back in a few month's if you lacquer it, polish and keep polished and some wax wont hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Ok sounds like a plan, I'll go down the wax route first and see how it performs. It's going to be a bit of a buggar cleaning it off but hey ho IM RETIRED sonwhat else have I got to do!! Thanks for all your input chaps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 For light oxidation I used to use a tube of metal polish, tried loads over a period of time, although some give a cloudy finish post polish. There was one (and I'm really not being helpful here) was amazing, great polish and no clouding, but cannot for the life of me remember which one it was. Although, once you have a clean and polished plenum, you must use carnauba based wax. Forget anything other than carnauba! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 For light oxidation I used to use a tube of metal polish, tried loads over a period of time, although some give a cloudy finish post polish. There was one (and I'm really not being helpful here) was amazing, great polish and no clouding, but cannot for the life of me remember which one it was. Although, once you have a clean and polished plenum, you must use carnauba based wax. Forget anything other than carnauba! "Autosol"? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeezeebaba Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 I use Autosol and a damp kitchen sponge which needs to be continually rinsed whilst doing the job. Interesting reading about different ideas for sealing the finish though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Nah not the obvious Autosol believe or not, aggressive! It was a grey cream, I'll hunt it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Got it! http://www.kleers.com/the-metal-polish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) Is that Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax or the more expensive Boora Carnauba Wax Paste, or Simoniz, or Carnauba Gold ....(don't life get complicated) Edited June 7, 2017 by Dicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Dodo Juice Supernatural I used to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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