Topic: How to clean up Valve Covers
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
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
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!
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Marshal, were they "Glass Beaded" some times that will roll up or pit aluminum.
ebo
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
ebo
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
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 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Joel are you asking Marshal to crush his walnuts? I'm shell shocked!
ebo
ebo
I used mothers aluminum polish on th fins on mine an they turned out pretty nice.....
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
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
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!
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
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.
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DanT
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
Lifetime MemberPERRYSBURG, OH - USA
Joined: 4/23/2004
Posts: 317
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.
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.
in Forum: C3 Engines
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