Not sure where to post this, but I have a 573 (pic below) that has been painted and the paint is chipping.







I am in the process of cleaning up and refurbishing the engine and the engine compartment in my 63 F100 Uni and I would like for it to look like the pic below:







I'm assuming it's aluminum. What's the best way to remove the old paint? What's the best way to get the original finish? Anyone had any experience with power coating this manifold? (Assuming you can powder coat aluminum).



Is it possible to bead blast these manifolds without getting the media inside the manifold and not be able to get it out?



Thanks in advance for any information or guidance.




Gerald Ingram aka "Gritsngumbo"
Monroe, LA
LITTLE RED: 64 Ford F100 Short Bed Styleside
BIG RED: 63 Ford F100 Long Bed Unibody
BBW RED: 61 Ford F100 BBW Long Bed Custom Cab Unibody
BIG “UN: 63 F250 Longbed Flareside
CREW CAB: 63 F100 "Stageway" Crew Cab w/Long "Wrong" Bed

Most new aluminum castings are wheel abrated with stainless shot .060" or smaller. The smaller the shot the shinier the finish.

For re-work purposes glass bead and clear coat is probably the best. If you don't coat it with something every finger print and drip will show.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico