Here something to think about if you have a lot of free time -- from my post on miEVO



Polish and buffed heat shield

I have a local car show of sorts out here this Sunday. And well since my car looks very much stock when I open the hood, I decided to dress up some parts a little.

Heres the breif how-to (and its easy too)

--Take off heat shield - there are 4 bolts
--Using your coarse sanding block start at the paint - it will come off very easy.
--After all or most of the paint is off move to your med. block, then fine.
--I used brake cleaner to clean off all the dust when I was done.
--Using aluminum polish start buffing out the alumium, be sure to not let sit too long. Pretty much buff on until it turns black, then buff off. Elbow grease is key here. More you do, more it shines.
--I polished it 3 or 4 times to get to a half mirror finish. The picture doesnt quite show that its mirror-like (thanks to the flash). I have access to a buffer, and I may buff it more, but for right now it looks good.
--Using the high temp (VHT) paint I painted the bolt heads (not the treads) and 02 sensor holder.

I also polished the upper intake pipe with the DV hose attachment. That took very well the the polish and looks quite nice. Next time my bumper is off I will be polishing the rest of the UICP.

--For that piece I taped off all the openings and areas where the rubber hoses attach (so they dont become slick and want to pop off). Then polish and buff.

Cheers

**Note** I left the under side of the heat shield alone. The factory high temp paint is also applied there, and well you dont see it.