DIY for polished plenum

[Junya25]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new member here and I have been saving for parts for my '05 G35 coupe for a bit now and while I wait for the parts I have some time off this week I thought I'd try my hand at polishing my plenum (just the upper part).
I'd appreciate if anyone has any information or links or pics off tutorials for this. I tried looking around on here and various other websites but couldn't seem to find an up-to-date w/pics. Also, if it might be a smaller job and better to start with maybe the throttle body?

Any advice is much appriciated!!!

***If nothing else this plenum needs to be cleaned :-( I just recently rescued my car :-) and I atleast need to clean it. Any instructions or steps on how to do this would be great too!***

Again, my apologies if this is in the wrong place - still getting my bearings.

Thanks,
Junya

[155Mph]

^i'd also like to know if any1 has any info on this
(step up, SxExCx)

[Junya25]

Yeah I love his setup!

One day....!!!!!!

[Texasscout]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...9/ai_n9123869/

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/alpolkit.htm

[Junya25]

I was looking more for a DIY guide or suggestions for a weekend project with stuff I can find at my local auto parts store or home depot, etc... Any more suggestions?

Info is really appreciated... at least I have good polishing guides (thanks texasscout)!!

-Junya

[Texasscout]

You CAN do this by hand, but it's a butt load of work. You start with sand paper and smooth all the little casting marks out. All the bumps and places where the molds came together. Then you progress to finer grits until it's as smooth as a babies butt. That should take a couple of days. Then you start in with the polishing compounds. Heavy grit, med grit, fine grit and polishing grits. That should take a few days of work. Then give it a clear coat to keep it that way.

You can cut that by a few days if you have a die grinder, some cutting bits, sanding bits and buffing wheels. A free standing buffer helps a lot.

You can do it, but will you have the gumption to finish it by hand.

Just trying to save you some grief.

BTW, you can find most of what you need at any well stocked Auto parts store. They might even have a "metal polishing" kit.

[Junya25]

Ah thanks!

I'm a very visual person, any visual aids to help in removal of the intake/plenum assembly?

Thanks,
Junya

[Texasscout]

I swear there is some pics of someone doing that on here somewhere.

BTW, if you just want to clean it, get some of the "aluminum cleaner" that they sell for large cleaning jobs. It will brighten it, but not make it shine.

[Junya25]

Yeah that will have to do for now.

I am still looking for an assembly or disassembly vid or step-by-step on air intake and plenum (upper portion).

I want to take it off to clean it well, but I am not sure if i trust myself without a rudimentary guide to aid me.

-Junya

[SxExCx]

Q: Is this a DIY job that can be done by hand?
A: Yes

Q: What do people say after completing the job by hand?
A: "I will never polish another piece as long as I live"

Q: What is the most common question people ask me after dedicating 2 weeks of
their life to polishing their plenum?
A: "How much would you charge me to finish it?"


Without proper (expensive) tools, this this HARD labor. Even with the right equipment, it is long, tiring work. I'm not trying to talk you out of it just because I want to make a sale, I'm just giving you fair warning.

By hand, just start with very abrassive materials (sand paper or grinder) and just work towards a smooth consistant finish. Repeat this process and 6-8 times with progressively finer media. There isnt much more to it.

[bigc]

This is not a weekend DIY unless you have access to more polishing equipment than the average bear. Just buy a polished one from SxExCx or have your's polished by a shop locally.

[155Mph]

Originally Posted by SxExCx

Q: What is the most common question people ask me after dedicating 2 weeks of their life to polishing their plenum?
A: "How much would you charge me to finish it?"

Q: "How much would you charge me to finish it?"
A:

[Junya25]

Thanks for the input SxExCx!

Even though I'm probably biting off more than I can chew, do you have a guide or would you be able to post one, that shows or tells how to pollish it?

Thanks,
Junya

**PS - what would it cost to get it pollished approx?

[SxExCx]

Originally Posted by 155Mph

Q: "How much would you charge me to finish it?"
A:

^haha...sharp sense of humor.

PM'ed

[SxExCx]

What I wrote in my first post is about as deep as I can go because I dont do it that way. There would be no point in showing my way since nobody has the equipment I do.
Here is a link to my group buy...best price in the country and NO DOWN TIME since I ship you the polished one first!

Group Buy: SxExCx Ultimate Engine Dress-up!

Originally Posted by Junya25

Thanks for the input SxExCx!

Even though I'm probably biting off more than I can chew, do you have a guide or would you be able to post one, that shows or tells how to pollish it?

Thanks,
Junya

**PS - what would it cost to get it pollished approx?