How to clean up Valve Covers - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: How to clean up Valve Covers

in Forum: C3 Engines

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

How to clean up Valve Covers (1/10)
4/27/12 6:57am

manget1

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

I've had my L-82 Valve Covers bead blasted, but they don't have any luster and there are still a few places (between the fins) where there's some pitting.

I'm going to order replacements and compare them to the originals to see which look better. In the meantime, I would like to try to clean up the old ones a bit. Any suggestions? Anything anyone can think of to give these a bit of the original luster? I'm not looking for a shine per se, just for them to look sharp.

I do have an orbital buffer I use for waxing the car. Not sure if using this with some special polish might get me somewhere.

Regardless of which ones I use, don't worry, I will hold on to the originals...

______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

��

target=_blank>Click for another pic!�� And yet another!

Quote

Our Sponsors help support C3VR

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (2/10)
4/27/12 7:57am

ebo

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Marshal, were they "Glass Beaded" some times that will roll up or pit aluminum.

Soda blast would be better. You should look at Eastwoods buffing kit and a small hand held buffer or grinder to polish them back up. Eastwoods kit comes with a range of compounds.

ebo

______________

Click on image for larger view!
LIFETIME MEMBER 151

ebo

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (3/10)
4/27/12 12:35pm

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

If memory serves(does it ever?), blasting using crushed walnut shells works really well on aluminuminum...gives it a nice sheen, with very little, if any, surface texture. Sandblasting, or glass beads will clean it, but it also leaves the surface pretty rough. You'd have to do a LOT of sanding before polishing to make them look as nice as the early covers, like the LT-1s.

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (4/10)
4/27/12 2:37pm

ebo

Joel are you asking Marshal to crush his walnuts? I'm shell shocked!

ebo

______________

Click on image for larger view!
LIFETIME MEMBER 151

ebo

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (5/10)
4/27/12 2:45pm

The Rook

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Pittsburgh, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......

Joined: 12/4/2002
Posts: 600

I used mothers aluminum polish on th fins on mine an they turned out pretty nice.....

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (6/10)
5/2/12 6:28am

manget1

Update:

I tried 2 routes.

1. I ordered replacements from Corvette Central

2. I got some Mother's Polish

The replacements from CC arrived yesterday and, while some might have been thrilled, I was not. The ones I got are aluminum, but they are also chromed. They do not look original at all, and that's what I'm going for here. They'll be going back

The Mother's provided a better look on the original than was had with the blasting alone. They now have (what I would consider) a look that is closer to the original patina. Unfortunately, there are still a few rough sports here and there, but overall, they are a 100% improvement over what they were before the blasting.

Pictures will be coming soon

______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

��

target=_blank>Click for another pic!�� And yet another!

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (7/10)
5/4/12 9:45pm

yostusota
Former Member
Send Private Message

York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I would sure like to see those...I polished mine today with my port tool with a 3m headlight buffer kit...worked great...just can't figure out how to clean or polish inside the fins...oh well..pop up a pic of what yours turned out to look like!!..needs ta see it!!

______________

My first parade at Carlisle 2010

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (8/10)
5/4/12 11:38pm

danascar
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.

Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

yostusota said: I would sure like to see those...I polished mine today with my port tool with a 3m headlight buffer kit...worked great...just can't figure out how to clean or polish inside the fins...oh well..pop up a pic of what yours turned out to look like!!..needs ta see it!!

Try a toothbrush, Rich.

______________

DanT

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (9/10)
5/4/12 11:50pm

yostusota
Former Member
Send Private Message

York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

That would get in there and clean it...I need it polished though to match the rest of the valve cover..not a big deal though.

______________

My first parade at Carlisle 2010

Quote

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers (10/10)
5/5/12 10:20am

gellisvette

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

PERRYSBURG, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 T-Tops,Lite Custom work,Many engine mod. 700R4 trans. body is shaved,17" wheels bf goodrich g-force tires,heavy sway bars front&rear rack&pinion steering,550 slolom springs with gas shocks.

Joined: 4/23/2004
Posts: 317

Goto a tool and die shop they have small buffing tools that fit perfectly. Run them off a drill motor or dremmel tool. Did mine and they worked great.

Quote

Our Sponsors help support C3VR