Anyone ever polish their AEM V1 CAI ?

[Chris Vu]

I've got an AEM V1 CAI from so long ago, and the matte silver paint it's got on it just isn't too appealing anymore, and I want to polish it .. is it a matter of taking decals/CARB sticker off and spraying it with the aircraft paint remover, sand, and polishing ? Is it aluminum or steel ?

 

[Valet]

It's aluminum. At least I'm assuming. So I guess strip, sand, and polish.

 

[lashlee]

I've got a short ram that is polished from AEM so I would think that the painted ones are still aluminum. I'm with cleansleeper that it should be a pretty simple task. I've got a spare short ram that was damaged in shipping that I would sell cheap so you could take your time and do it right, if you are interested.

 

[ejreams]

Fairly certain its aluminum, you could sand and paint it but I heard from my powder coating guy that it was near impossible to sand blast total pain in the arse.

 

[Valet]

Flake in the paint

 

[Chris Vu]

That paint is gorgeous .. but I think I'm going to strip and polish since it's something I can do on my own for > $20 .. I'm going to polish my strut bar and VC too while I'm at it haha.

 

[ejreams]

Lots of flakessss, pretty cool color looks black under indirect or no light.

My wheels have a little pearl in them too, but not a silly amount, really close to the pearl in Anthracite Metallic.


Edit:
OP - Yea one thing though be careful when you're sanding that especially if you're using a buffer or drill the aluminum is really thin don't warp or bend it or worse.. put a hole in it.

 

[SportBilly]

Likes...!!!

 

[Valet]

....something i can do on my own for < $20

ftfy

 

[Chris Vu]

Aircraft paint stripper ~$8
Sand paper ~$10 ..

I have aluminum polish at home