Paint aluminium parts after cleaning?

[EDDY_EST]

Hey guys.

I had a decent manifold failure recently (see picture) so while I was in the process of replacing it i decided I should clean up and treat and paint any rusty parts while the car is in the garage for winter.

the car is from 2007 wuth 120k KM and looks like it has never had a deep clean like this before.

My question is: I have been cleaning the aluminium parts with a soft brass wire wheel to get most of the junk off and it leaves a nice surface. Do I need to protect it some how (lacquer, paint, wax) or will it be okay how it is?

Thanks

 

[EDDY_EST]

pictures

 

[Rishi]

I think the front hub carriers, lower arms and subframe are all aluminium, which corrodes to aluminium oxide and actually protects the aluminium from further oxidation. They should be fairly well protected from moisture and oxygen as they are, only acid or alkaline conditions or of course an impact (!) could damage them. They do look very nice and clean though.

 

[Mark_L]

I'd paint them myself, just use a good etch primer before hand.

A nice alloy wheel silver or steel silver for a slightly darker silver.