cleaning valve covers
 

Does anyone have tips for clening up my valve covers? I'm wondering how much they are supposed to shine. Right now they are spotted and dull and I'd like to bring them back to an original look.

http://content.madirect.com/img300/604673.jpg

Thanks

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I have seen professional polishers do great jobs on those covers. They seem to be a little porous to me.

I bought a set in late december and had mine Powder Coated in Silver. They look great and I never have to polish thme. Not stock looking but nice and clean and no maintenance!

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

They are an unfinished aluminum alloy. And some oxidation (dullness) is normal.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I see from your profile that the car is a '77. The covers should be polished, and I imagine that any aluminum wheel polish would do the trick.

Shannon

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I am looking at doing the same polishing. What type of clear is available for protection after polishing?

Jeff

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I have the same valve covers on my engine. I have used several different products and they still don't shine to my satisfaction. Next step is to try a polishing wheel and compound.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I would start with a Fine/medium or coarse Nyalox cup brush they are made by Dico and can be purchased at ACE hardware. They are like wire brushes but are less aggressive. Then I would finish up with a polishing wheel and a compond for aluminum.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I've started cleaning them and I can get the oxidation off with a rag and some elbow grease. I've used Mothers Billet polish with a wheel and it is brightening up nicelyl. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post a picture of both when I get one completed.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

send them off and have them chromed...they look awesome for sure then

Re: cleaning valve covers (GATOR454)
 

I used a FINE wire Brass cup brush to bring up the shine. Then I finished it off with a buffing of aluminum rouge. No clear or anything else applied. I don't like the way covers look after awhile that have had clear applied - it turns yellow. From the looks of mine after a year I'll probalby just give them a quick hand cleaning and rub this year as they still show a lot of shine.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

I can't seem to get the plastic pcv and egr fittings off. Do they turn? I can't seem to get them to budge, but I'm also being careful not to break them.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

Simple Green works great from removing the oil and other engine residue. Then the brass brush to remove oxidation followed by polish. Can't think of the name of the polish, can picture the tube, it is Silver if I recall.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

Does anybody have tips for getting the plastic fittings off the valve covers?

Re: cleaning valve covers (3joh)
 

POR-15 makes a clear for that (or aluminum wheels, for that matter). I have no direct experience with the clear, but used the regular stuff on my frame. (And my hands...read the instructions- it WON'T come off with anything but time...)

Re: cleaning valve covers (PureSilver)
 

These valve covers ARE NOT POLISHED from the factory. Later sets have some electro chemical process to them to make them more polished in appearance. I don't know about later cars but the 70-72 LT-1 and early L-82 cars do NOT have polished covers from the factory. You can use mag wheel cleaner and fine grade Scothbrite pads to recover them to factory looks.

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

Those are actually supposed to be rubber - tear 'em out - go to the local parts store and get replacements.. :cheers:

Re: cleaning valve covers (noblejr)
 

Use a bench or drill type cloth buffering wheel and polishing compound. You should be able to find these at an ACE hardware store, SEARS. or the like. The polishing compounds come in a solid bar form in 4 grits(Emery for heavy cutting, Tripoli for buffing, Red Rouge for polishing, and White Rouge for final high gloss). I normally use just the red and white. Use a Dremel tool with polihing pad and compound to get between the fins. Trust me. Mine look chrome plated! Do use sand paper or sleel/bronze pads. You'll regret it. :chevy

Re: cleaning valve covers (noir76)
 

I meant to say DO NOT use sand paper or steel/bronze pads! :banghead:

Re: cleaning valve covers (noir76)
 

I'm pretty experienced at polishing aluminum & stainless but the valve covers on my L46 were too much and I have an 8" bench polisher. I used several different polishing rouges and then tried Mother's and Eagle One. It is a bigger job than you think. I took mine to a polishing shop that charged $45 for the pair w/o polishing between the fins and $75 w/fins. They look chrome and they told me just to hit them with a little Mother's occasionally. I'll post a picture if someone will give me a quick class on posting pics. Ididn't want mine to look so shiny at first but after seeing the result I'm glad they do look that way. I believe when the car was new they were a little duller. But that was a long time ago and my memory is fading fast.

Re: cleaning valve covers (70L46Conv4Sp)
 

the quick pic posting lesson..

1. get a web based host (photohost.org, for example)
2. load your pic there.
3. Open the pic and right click on it.
4. copy the url of the pic.
5. click on the Image icon
6. paste the url you copied between the image things that come up [IMG] - there will be two of them

:cheers:




[Modified by Avette4me, 3:48 PM 4/13/2004]