Cobra

Anyone know if there's a hard media blasting process that can take this down some? Like aluminum oxide or silicon carbide blasting? The small areas are really hard to get to.

It's not bubbles, guys. I've seen a fully polished ones and it looks like chrome plating. I polish lots of Ford aluminum parts, and it's always crappy casting with good stuff underneath. Here is how it look after a 80grit zirconia disc (heavier scratches were from 40 grit which is too aggressive), i havent been able to use it long at all as i need to go over to a friends house where loudness isnt an issue. The grinding wheel was just a bad idea, too heavy a method - it just cuts aluminum.

The pitting isn't throughout, just on top. Onece you get past the surface its gone. I'm mainly using zirconia flap discs right now and it seems to work. Although i havent been able to do much lately.

Can someone tell me if this shaft play is normal? This is the kind of thing when you know a supercharger is done, but dunno if it's normal in an angle grinder. The box was worn, i think someone brought it back. So im worry this play is a bad sign. YouTube - Angle Grinder: This normal BTw, these things are loud! I need to find another place to use it, this will xxxx of my neighbors. So much for more home projects with this manifold design.

I've used the different stones, because you can use them with a dremel, and the gunk up. It smoothe over with aluminum that fills up the "pores", plus it's load and the air compressor is loud. And i dont want to make any less friends around here as its a townhouse community, the angle grinder is loud but im not using it for very long.

I'm going to buy some zirconia flap discs tomorrow too: 10 Zirconia Flap Disc 4" x 5/8" Grit 40,60,80,120- T29 - eBay (item 220339459824 end time Feb-03-09 10:11:24 PST) 7 40 grit, 2 60 grit, and 1 80 grit Supposedly they hold up pretty well. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

I think this is what i'm going to do: $35 craftsman angle grinder: Craftsman 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder - Model 11651 at Sears.com and 24 grit 4" metal grinding wheel, because the grinder says it can take 4"-9" appearently, and smaller is better Craftsman 4 in. Grinding Wheel, 24 grit Metal Work - Model 28440 at Sears.com I wish it was wider than 1/4" as I don't actually want to cut the metal, just grind off the surface. But i dont see another option.

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I was thinking a cup wheel, because although it's made out of the same material as the clean and strip discs it looks like it good take off some serious material. What does that attach to? I'm assuming i'll need a right angle grinder? Problem i see is it might be too wide to fit into most of the manifold's area therfore limiting its use - however effective. I'm thinking a 4" dia 1/4" thick edge grinder, which will also use a angle grinder. Maybe use a softer one? I'll just drag it along the surface i guess. Actually i dont see how i'd get this tool to access much of the manifold at all:

I'm trying to get the pitting out of cast aluminum intake manifolds I polish. I was going to go with a clean and strip wheel like 3M, but read it doesn't remove material - which is something I'm trying to do for sure. I use a dremel tool with 60 grit sanding tubes for the tight spots, but need something for the flatter spots that takes off material quick to get past the pitting. You guys know of a good grinder that can take aluminum down without durning or destroying it? Much appreciated.