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I bought a set of raw cast aluminum covers and had them powder coated to the color I wanted. The raised lettering I want cleaned up to almost a polished look. The powder coating shop took the coating off with what must have been sandpaper, and I was just wondering what others have used to clean this type casting up. I was thinking finer grades of sandpaper, then try some compound to try polishing.
My concern is keeping the sandpaper flat enough to just do the surface of the lettering, and not anything else. What's the best sanding tool to use by hand? Can you get the sponge sanding blocks you'd use for drywall sanding in a fine grit?
I bought a set of raw cast aluminum covers and had them powder coated to the color I wanted. The raised lettering I want cleaned up to almost a polished look. The powder coating shop took the coating off with what must have been sandpaper, and I was just wondering what others have used to clean this type casting up. I was thinking finer grades of sandpaper, then try some compound to try polishing.
My concern is keeping the sandpaper flat enough to just do the surface of the lettering, and not anything else. What's the best sanding tool to use by hand? Can you get the sponge sanding blocks you'd use for drywall sanding in a fine grit?
I'D NOT use any sponge sanding block..and no way with drywall paper..
Well..a 6" long by 3" wide FLAT sanding block that's wrapped snugly with 3M wet or dry auto sandpaper starting with 200 grit and then progresingly finer grits..USED WETTED AND RINSED often..
That will do the job for starters..B4 the new covers are installed of course..
Then a bit of Mother's alum polish applied with a piece of leather on the block should get them shinier..Finally..a careful buffing with a small 2" diameter buffer on a dremel tool taking care not to buff the cover other than raised letters..Jim
Last edited by jim in oregon; Oct 5, 2016 at 11:37 AM.
I'D NOT use any sponge sanding block..and no way with drywall paper..
Well..a 6" long by 3" wide FLAT sanding block that's wrapped snugly with 3M wet or dry auto sandpaper starting with 200 grit and then progresingly finer grits..USED WETTED AND RINSED often..
That will do the job for starters..B4 the new covers are installed of course..
Then a bit of Mother's alum polish applied with a piece of leather on the block should get them shinier..Finally..a careful buffing with a small 2" diameter buffer on a dremel tool taking care not to buff the cover other than raised letters..Jim
I was about to say this exactly. But be warned, looking at your valve covers after this will require sunglasses.
New valve covers....need input on detailing.
I was about to say this exactly. But be warned, looking at your valve covers after this will require sunglasses. 
