Cleaning valve covers - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

noblejr · 04-06-2004, 02:59 PM

I'm cleaning up my engine on my 77 Corvette and one thing I want to do is polish the valve covers. These are alluminum covers and are not very shiny. They are quite dull and spotted and I'd like to bring them back up to their original look. Any suggestions?

WarWagon · 04-06-2004, 03:15 PM

Mothers aluminum polish as a short answer.

If you want to really make them come out nice, this site has some good instructions: http://darkside351.tripod.com/mustang50world/id19.html

Even if you dont go through that step by step, it should give you a good idea of what to do.

Confederate · 04-06-2004, 03:48 PM

a small die grinder with a polishing attachment is your friend when it comes to between those ribs

CheeseButtons · 04-06-2004, 05:13 PM

I'd use some fine grit (2000) sandpaper first, and then use a cotton wheel with some buffing compound.

merkerguitars · 04-06-2004, 07:59 PM

For polishing stuff like that i usually use mothers with a right angle buffer wheel (looks like a big die grinder but has a big cloth buffing wheel on it) Takes no time at all to get them nice and shiny

BigTruck1956 · 04-06-2004, 10:04 PM

CheeseButtons is right on with the fine grit paper and buffing compound...
here are some tips taken from www.streetrodstuff.com

Buff large aluminum parts, such as a beer keg like mine, without having to use a fixed buffing machine. Take your 7-inch sander/grinder/polisher and replace the pad and rubber backing disc with a large cotton buffing pad. Be sure to use large fender washers on each side of the pad for stability. Start sanding the aluminum with about 600 wet/dry using soapy water. Continue with 1000 grit until everything is smooth. Then hit it with the buffing pad and Red then White compounds. It takes awhile so don't get discouraged. Once satisfied, switch back to the felt polishing pad and use 3M polishing compound (or similair) and buff as you would paint. Works great and saved me $160. That's StreetRodding Stuff.

you could probably use a bench mounted buffer instead of a hand held one, it will probably give you more control sonce valve covers arent that huge.

04-06-2004, 02:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
noblejr Crazy Location: Atlanta	Cleaning valve covers I'm cleaning up my engine on my 77 Corvette and one thing I want to do is polish the valve covers. These are alluminum covers and are not very shiny. They are quite dull and spotted and I'd like to bring them back up to their original look. Any suggestions?

04-06-2004, 05:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
CheeseButtons Crazy Location: 1000 miles from nowhere	I'd use some fine grit (2000) sandpaper first, and then use a cotton wheel with some buffing compound. __________________ Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. -Ecclesiastes 7:3

04-06-2004, 07:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	For polishing stuff like that i usually use mothers with a right angle buffer wheel (looks like a big die grinder but has a big cloth buffing wheel on it) Takes no time at all to get them nice and shiny __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

04-06-2004, 10:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigTruck1956 Psycho Location: norcal	CheeseButtons is right on with the fine grit paper and buffing compound... here are some tips taken from www.streetrodstuff.com Buff large aluminum parts, such as a beer keg like mine, without having to use a fixed buffing machine. Take your 7-inch sander/grinder/polisher and replace the pad and rubber backing disc with a large cotton buffing pad. Be sure to use large fender washers on each side of the pad for stability. Start sanding the aluminum with about 600 wet/dry using soapy water. Continue with 1000 grit until everything is smooth. Then hit it with the buffing pad and Red then White compounds. It takes awhile so don't get discouraged. Once satisfied, switch back to the felt polishing pad and use 3M polishing compound (or similair) and buff as you would paint. Works great and saved me $160. That's StreetRodding Stuff. you could probably use a bench mounted buffer instead of a hand held one, it will probably give you more control sonce valve covers arent that huge. __________________ so much to do, so little time.....at least i aint bored.

04-06-2004, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	Mothers aluminum polish as a short answer. If you want to really make them come out nice, this site has some good instructions: http://darkside351.tripod.com/mustang50world/id19.html Even if you dont go through that step by step, it should give you a good idea of what to do.

04-06-2004, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Confederate Death Leprechaun Location: College Station, TX	a small die grinder with a polishing attachment is your friend when it comes to between those ribs