Aluminum Core Support [Painting, stripping, restoration]

[CDUNIGAN1981]

I want to clean up my engine bay including my core support which is aluminum.

Currently, it is coating black but I thought it may be cool to strip it down to it's natural color.
I'm curious if it would be dumb to leave the metal exposed or more difficult that its worth to strip the black off it.

My car is Silver and so our my CC headers. I thought it may look cool to have a silver core support.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
CD

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

I have wondered if taking to the shop that coating my headers would be a good idea.
See if they could strip it with plastic media and then just use it like that in car.

 

[lilbowtie]

Personal preference - if it works for you that's all that maters and that what makes our cars unique.

 

[liquidh8]

I had blasted mine and powder coated it aluminum. I live in PA and didn't want the white corrosion.

 

[fleming442]

I'd get it dipped and powder coated. Putting uneven heat in it with blasting may warp it.

 

[39F]

Yea ground off or media blast for sure tried using paint stripper all it did was made it white and chalky then just made the black coating shiny lol

 

[pagrunt]

Find someone who does anodizing & get it done in clear.

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

I had blasted mine and powder coated it aluminum. I live in PA and didn't want the white corrosion.

Cool
Got any pics?

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

Find someone who does anodizing & get it done in clear.

Interesting suggestion!
I'm reading about this now...

 

[383_GrandPrix]

The only thing about "clear" anodized is that even if you polish it before it's anodized it still comes out looking grey. Also if it were me and I were to have a part that is going to see weather and abuse from chemicals and rocks, I'd opt for hard anodized but you only have the choice of 3 or so colors in hard anodized.

Edit: If it were up to me I'd opt for powder coating, your local powder coating shop will have contacts with professional paint stripping companies and can recommend the best process for the best results (I'm guessing vat dip).