Home page

How to clean up Valve Covers

Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

10 Messages
Page 1 of 1
Share:
Sponsored Content

Already a Member?

Welcome back! Access your account.

Sign In

Not yet a Member?

Join our community! Registration is free.

Join Free

How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 4/27/12 3:57amMessage 1 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2461
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!


����� States Visited Map

target=_blank>Click for another pic!���� And yet another!
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 4/27/12 4:57amMessage 2 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Holland Patent, NY - USA
Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4422
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
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.
Evil Smileebo

Click on image for larger view!

LIFETIME MEMBER 151
Evil Smileebo
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 4/27/12 9:35amMessage 3 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22715
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


(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"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 4/27/12 11:37amMessage 4 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Holland Patent, NY - USA
Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4422
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
Joel are you asking Marshal to crush his walnuts?  I'm shell shocked!
Evil Smileebo

Click on image for larger view!

LIFETIME MEMBER 151
Evil Smileebo
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 4/27/12 11:45amMessage 5 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Pittsburgh, PA - USA
Joined: 12/4/2002
Posts: 600
Vette(s): 1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......
I used mothers aluminum polish on th fins on mine an they turned out pretty nice.....
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 5/2/12 3:28amMessage 6 of 10
Profile Pic
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2461
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!


����� States Visited Map

target=_blank>Click for another pic!���� And yet another!
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 5/4/12 6:45pmMessage 7 of 10
Profile Pic
Free Member
Send PM
York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
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
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 5/4/12 8:38pmMessage 8 of 10
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Germansville, PA - USA
Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 866
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.
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

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 5/4/12 8:50pmMessage 9 of 10
Profile Pic
Free Member
Send PM
York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
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
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: How to clean up Valve Covers

Posted: 5/5/12 7:20amMessage 10 of 10
g
Lifetime Member
Send PM
PERRYSBURG, 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.
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Share:

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Sponsored Content