Polish them! After spending a lot of money on several ARC parts, I was very irritated when I looked at my stock UICP. Even though the stock unit is good performance wise, it's just not very pleasing to the eyes. And I'm still saving for a ARC heatshield so I decided it was time to do something to hold me over until I get the upgrades

I used fine grade sanding blocks (works better than sand paper) and then Mother's metal polish, then fine grade steel wool, then Mother's metal polish again It turned out great and the UICP only took 30 minutes. The heatshield was trickier because they're painted so I had to sand down the paint first and then polish

Hope this helps some budget minded members or people who needs something to hold them over until they get new replacements



Bigger pic for those who wants a closer look

 

Looks pretty good.. have any other pics, like looking down at the parts you polished?

 

The parts are the upper intercooler piping and the heatshield covering the manifold...you can clearly see them in this picture....

 

not all of it though.. but either way it looks good.

 

wow and i thought those were aftermarket. lol i will now do that. how fine does the sanding block and wool have to be?

 

But will it turn to other color specially the heatshield?

 

looks great,

 

+1 nice idea

 

Steel wool only has fine and medium at my local store so I used the fine one. You can also use scrotch brite pads or dishwashing pads. Works the same way

Nope, so far I drove 320 miles with them over the last weekend (went to a car show) and all is well!

 

won't rust in the rain?

 

No I don't think so. But as with all polished parts - even that shiny strut bar from Beatrush - you gotta polish it up once in a while for that shiny look

 

i see hmm...i might just do this..looks awsome!

 

I tried polishing the mani cover and it always changed colors. I even tried using a hi-temp clear and still changed colors.

BTW, what front lip is that? Looks real nice!

 

I hope you put your + battery terminal cover back otherwise....crunch

 

really clean car on a day that just finished raining....very nice!