Aging aulminum heads
 

Have a new set of aluminum aftermarket heads. They will look way out of place on old Betsey. Is there a way to age them besides fine bead blast. I don't have immediate access to a bead blaster. How about phosphate used to prep metal or soda blasting ? Other experiences ? Thank you Fordbarners.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Any ideas on knocking the newness of these Navarro heads. Please see photo. Got them from Barney at Navarro Engineering in Glendale before he left us.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Dirty Grease and oil?

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Just put them on and run them, personally I would be hesitant about using chemicals.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Here's an idea that will get you an appearance similar to what you want and still let you return them to new appearance easily. Wash, rinse and dry them with PPG Alumaprep as per instructions on the bottle. Then spray them VERY lightly and somewhat unevenly with red-brown oxide Krylon and an even lighter mist of flat black, if needed, to desired effect. Go light, so that the aluminum gets just barely tinted. The Alumiprep treatment will keep the primer from wanting to scratch and flake. If you don't get the effect you want the first time, the primer and paint will wash off with lacquer thinner and you can modify your technique. Then as the years tick by, nature will pick up where you left off and will give you the real thing.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

I would hang them on the wall and buy an old used set to run.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

I was going to say sell them and buy an old set!

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Put um on and run em hard, they'll soon get some age, of that's what you want.
Give Barney the respect he deserves, and run them. He didn't make um to hang on the wall.
Arnt we repeatedly being told that old used high compression heads are more trouble than there worth? And buying new is best?
Martin.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

2X I agree..

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Easy off oven cleaner gives aluminum an aged look. Spray on let it sit for 5-10m, rinse and repeat until desired appearance.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Thank you all for your suggestions. Right on, Barney would expect I would run them, not hang them on the wall. If I could have found an original set of Navarro's, I would have bought them. No luck, but I got a chance to meet Barney in person, and tour Navarro Engineering. The 700 HP turbocharged Indy motor was cool. Barney was always light years ahead of the times. The Easy Off is a great idea, and simple. Thanks again.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Send them to me and I will return them, properly aged, in about 15 years!

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Great answer 40 Deluxe...

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Spray them with liguid sodium silcate also known as water glass the surface texture and shade will change becoming darker and duller.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

the oven cleaner will work Have the heads warm and don't rinse them let um dry.then put some oil on them run it. dirt and all for a while. Just be sure you want them to look old.

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

I have an older aluminum manifold that I had bead blasted to clean it up. Came out nice but it was sort of pure aluminum looking which is just about white. So, I borrowed the wife's Easy Off spray, sprayed it and let it sit for a short while. Then I rinsed it off. It had darkened up nicely but I wanted it just a bit more. Sprayed it again and let it sit for 5 or so minutes, rinsed it off and it's just what I wanted.

Thanks!!

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

You can get oven cleaner at the Dollar stores.
Bruce

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

I used Easy Off on some aluminum pistons years ago, to clean them up,
and I kept spraying coats on ( 4 or 5 ) and let them soak too long.

The pistons got clean, but had little pock marks all over 'em, and in the
ring grooves, so be careful.

Leave some spark plugs in so you don't get any cleaner on the threads,
and don't let any Easy Off get on the deck surface, and flush with plenty
of water when after you get the look you want.








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Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

Just paint the engine and make it all shine!

Re: Aging aulminum heads
 

There ya go!