Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat

 While my engine is out again, I'm buffing the valve covers back up after spraying them with some citrus cleaner when cleaning the engine a while back. Bad idea, that stuff really streaked them up. I'm using a stick of # 6 cleaning/polishing compound from Auto Zone and a buffing wheel.  It's doing a pretty good job, just a lot of work. I was wondering if anyone has used a 'clear coat' over polished aluminum to keep it looking good and how it worked. Would it have to be a Hi-Temp clear to use it on valve covers? longhorn2942009-08-12 13:05:51

You should use a high temp clear coat; however, as you are going over bare metal, you might want to see if you need anything like Bulldog - primer for bare metal.

Hey longhorn,

I think a high-temp clear would be fine, but don't know if a paint will stick to the polished aluminuminum? The compound left on the surface may create an issue, but I also don't know what the heck you could use to clean the covers, that won't dull the polished finish you just spent all that time doing...
You might have to just take a chance a spray one, to see how it comes out. If the paint don't fish-eye, then you're good to go.
I've always just put a good coat of wax on fresh polished 'luminuminum, but...waxing valve covers ain't exactly a fun job while they're on the car! The clear-coat will be best. There are different types of clear, like satin finish, or even textured, so be sure to get the shiny clear...

 Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll just have to try and see wha hoppins. Joel might have a point, getting clear to stick on aluminumununm. They sure look a lot better now. Be nice to keep em that way. Let you know what happens, that is if I can find a hi temp clear.

There was a polish I think it was called Mothers that we used to polish up the aluminum cases of our motorcycles a few years ago.

_popupControl(); You might also want to use a dirt and wax degreaser and a tack cloth before you spray them with the clear coat. The degrease will take most anything off that would cause the clear to seperate (you may want to test a small area first) and the tack cloth will take away any dust, dirt, etc that may be on them before you spray them assuring you a nice smooth coat(s)

[QUOTE=rraider1]There was a polish I think it was called Mothers that we used to polish up the aluminum cases of our motorcycles a few years ago.[/QUOTE] longhorn2942009-08-13 07:19:31

A more expensive, but permanent solution would be to have them anodized with clear.

Larry