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If you’re looking to recondition any of the black plastic pieces I recommend SC1. Also called new bike in a can. It’s absolutely the best for bringing the new black look to anything in the engine bay. I also use it on the black cowl. It lasts forever.
I used a wire cup brush on a drill to polish my alternator and brackets, and as many parts as I could safely reach with the drill. I removed the throttle body as well did the same thing, it looks brand new again. Just be careful around wires and plastic arts as the wire brush can chew them up pretty good. I used DupliColor red to enhance a few parts. This was just done over the winter so I’ll see how it holds up when the car is back on the road.
I used a wire cup brush on a drill to polish my alternator and brackets, and as many parts as I could safely reach with the drill. I removed the throttle body as well did the same thing, it looks brand new again. Just be careful around wires and plastic arts as the wire brush can chew them up pretty good. I used DupliColor red to enhance a few parts. This was just done over the winter so I’ll see how it holds up when the car is back on the road.
Did you use aluminum etching primer before the enamel color coats?
My car is silver and I am vasillating on painting the bare aluminum parts either metallic silver, standard silver, or satin black and be done with it.
I'm not sure I want mess with the alternator. I just know I would screw it up somehow. Hmm I wonder if one of those dopey looking stainless alternator covers wouldn't look so bad if painted to match the bracket and other parts. Just say'n...
Any photos? I am thinking of using Duplicolor on some covers.
I have not started yet, just thought I might get some more ideas. Regarding the Duplicolor, I think they make an engine enamel for the higher temps. They have some wild colors.
Check out Rust-Oleum 254170 professional aluminum primer on Amazon.
btw....what colors are you considering?
Last edited by vette4fl; Mar 16, 2021 at 09:44 PM.
I had had a new alternator on the shelf for a couple of years and finally tired of waiting for the original to die and figured it had served for 21 years, so I went ahead and changed it a few months ago. I decided to pretty it up a bit, polishing it with a Dremel tool and polishing/buffing wheels (burned through a bunch of these - they wear out quick). I did the entire alternator before installing it and did as much of the bracket as I could reach. Also did as much of the throttle body as I could get to. Not quite as dazzling as chromed or painted or powdercoated and will have to be repolished every now and then, but all it cost was my time and a few polishing wheels.
I had had a new alternator on the shelf for a couple of years and finally tired of waiting for the original to die and figured it had served for 21 years, so I went ahead and changed it a few months ago. I decided to pretty it up a bit, polishing it with a Dremel tool and polishing/buffing wheels (burned through a bunch of these - they wear out quick). I did the entire alternator before installing it and did as much of the bracket as I could reach. Also did as much of the throttle body as I could get to. Not quite as dazzling as chromed or painted or powdercoated and will have to be repolished every now and then, but all it cost was my time and a few polishing wheels.
That looks great! Stock, but sanitary. Must have been a lot of work.
Torch Red to match my exterior color and my red Z06 valve covers. I was thinking of painting some of the black plastic covers myself instead of paying an aftermarket vender for an expensive painted cover that sticks on the original.
Engine Bay Spit Polish
