I've been thinking of doing some engine dress up projects while I have the truck down for a while during the motor swap. What do you all think of painting the alternator mounting brackets and such? I'd go the powder coated route, but that's going to be too much down time. I may pick up one of those cheap sand blasters from Northern Tools to clean up the oxidized aluminum real good. Any tips for painting aluminum?

Heck, if I get a sandblaster I could powder coat it myself. How much smoke/fumes does the powder coat put off? I wouldn't be doing this in the kitchen. I have a small workshop downstairs that could use and old oven.

 

Polished is going to be more expensive than paint or powder
down side - polished is going to oxidize and will need constant polishing
Chromed will be alittle more expensive than polishing
Powder is the way to go
Easy to clean -
My powder coater will do brackets for about 50 to 75 each

 

This post is near 4 months old....just thought I'd mention it. I would also go for the powder coating instead of polish....way too much maintenance for me.

 

ditto, polish in an engine bay = sore fingers.

 

Well, guess this is an update. I didn't have time to send them out for powder coating, so I just cleaned everything up with a drill and wire brush. Cleaned everything with brake cleaner and rattle can painted it with high temp paint.

It turned out real nice and is still holding up well months later.

Pics are at the link below.

 

dude! no need to powder coat, that engine paint will last a long time and is easy to touch up! how do I know you ask? well, back in the day, before powder coating was rampant thats what I used on my all forged 327 (bored .020 over) 1967 Chevy Impala SS. Painted my block Red and all the accessory brackets light gray, it lasted for freaking years!
I used Plastikote paint brand in case you were wondering
I imagine engine paints these days are even better!