Aluminium air filter cover rejuvenation

[BigBrother-84]

Hi Gentlemen!

As some of you know, I recently cleaned up and repainted Big Bro’s airbox.

Reading at another thread about aluminum wheels, and following Gary’s comment (https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Ford-10-Hole-Aluminum-Rims-tp122436p122451.html), I realized that some of you could have suggestions about cleaning spotted aluminium air filter cover, in order to bring it back to its young days.
Compound? Wax? Clear coating?

Your ideas will be welcome!

[Gary Lewis]

I've used sandpaper in a circular motion.  Let me rephrase that - always going around the cover and not across the cover.  That's because on all of the ones I've looked at there is a circular texture to them and I was trying to replicate that.  That gives a satin sheen that seems to approximate the original, and you can go finer and finer on the abrasive to get the sheen you want.

And I've not coated the result with anything, even though I could powder coat it satin clear.  I didn't think it was necessary and I ran that cover for a couple of years w/o it seemingly changing.

Obviously you are going to lose the lettering, but I think we have figured out a font that pretty closely mimics whatever they used, so you can recreate the lettering if you want.

[BigBrother-84]

Thanks Gary for sharing your exact same experience.
I was figuring out that fine sanding was probably the way, but you know, as an avowed lazy epicurean , I was hardly hoping a magic stuff enabling to avoid losing decals.
About these, yep, I already read this interesting thread https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Custom-Air-Cleaner-Decals-tp116148.html.

Another To Do on my list, this project will force me to create an identical TrueType font.


When done, it will be a pleasure to share it with Forum friends.
Another item to organize and store in your famous library!

[Gary Lewis]

Excellent!  That would be so cool to have!

I had planned to put a dual-snorkel air cleaner on Dad's truck with a "6.6 Liter 4V H.O." decal on it.  But now I'm going EFI so don't need the decal.  But it sure would have had people .

[BigBrother-84]

Well, somebody already did the exact font replica for us…
 
LMC sells three different “5.8 H.O." decals, and for what I can see (in my case), they almost replicate exactly the original one (the H and O looks a very little “fat”, but the “r” is good):

[Gary Lewis]

That's pretty good.  And if you didn't have an original to go by you'd swear it was perfect.  

[mat in tn]

i have done a few of these with a rag and mother paste polish. not new but dang close and no abrasives on the lettering. I don't "work" the lettering though. I try to stay off of it but hey it happens

[BigBrother-84]

Matt,
Mothers sells couple of different products.  Do you mean the “Mag Paste” one?
Or maybe something else?

[mat in tn]

I believe that's the exact can I just moved. yes. it goes on white and comes off black. just keep rubbing. on tough areas I use a patch cut from old denim.  I can go through some jeans so there is plenty around to cut patches from.

[BigBrother-84]

mat in tn wrote

I can go through some jeans so there is plenty around to cut patches from.

[Rusty_S85]

I planned on using a polishing wheel and various compounds.  My plan is to get a high luster lid and have the base painted black.  I think for mine that would go good with my stock looking but not stock engine build.

Just wish I could find the larger 5.8L HO air cleaner like you have, every one I find that is reasonably priced out is either missing the rubber seal on the lid or the lid is dinged/dented along the perimeter.

[BigBrother-84]

Ok guys, coming back a year later.
But even a late progress is a progress, isn’t it?


So, another item checked on my todo list!

Shined a replacement air filter cover and installed the LMC decal:


Before and after:



Not perfect, but I’m satisfied with the result.

I first polished using firewood ashes and humid cloth.
Then I rubbed it with sanding sponges.
I ended with Eagle One Nevr-Dull, and polishing with a soft cloth.

[Gary Lewis]

That looks good!  But I've never heard of using firewood ashes for polishing.  Is that like a very fine pumice?

[BigBrother-84]

Gary Lewis wrote

I've never heard of using firewood ashes for polishing.  Is that like a very fine pumice?

Ashes are very thin abrasive.
I use them to clean my fireplace glass doors, with Windex and cloth.
Absolutely no scratch on glass.
Beats any “specialized” (and toxic) fireplace cleaner stuff.