Aluminum valve cover service - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drewbert41 · 02-05-2016, 04:22 PM

Does anyone on here clean up valve covers for people? If not do any of you know a reputable person to send them to? They are Cal Custom finned valve covers.

GASoline71 · 02-05-2016, 05:44 PM

Elbow grease and Nevr-dull.

Gary

54blackhornet · 02-05-2016, 05:48 PM

Can you post a photo of them ? Interested to see the condition of aluminum?.....

Willie Makeit · 02-05-2016, 05:49 PM

cast aluminum wheel cleaner

drewbert41 · 02-05-2016, 05:58 PM

Everyone talks about how much of a pain it is. Id rather just put em on the way they are or pay someone. It is not a show truck so I don't mind either way. I stumbled across someone who had people mail them to him for a fee on another forum but I don't remember which one.

drewbert41 · 02-05-2016, 06:02 PM

**FirstOwner69** · 02-05-2016, 06:32 PM

I've done it with fine steel wool (eventually very fine) and Aluminum Jelly... and as stated above, a lot of elbow grease. Yours look like they'd clean up fairly easy.

EDIT: This procedure results in a natural raw aluminum finish. Not polished.

**leddzepp** · 02-05-2016, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Makeit

cast aluminum wheel cleaner

Yep, eagle one will have those looking like new.

drewbert41 · 02-05-2016, 10:38 PM

Yet, no one is up for the job lol.

**leddzepp** · 02-05-2016, 10:47 PM

Spray on spray off...it doesn't get any easier

Willie Makeit · 02-06-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewbert41

Everyone talks about how much of a pain it is. Id rather just put em on the way they are or pay someone. It is not a show truck so I don't mind either way. I stumbled across someone who had people mail them to him for a fee on another forum but I don't remember which one.

ok. mail them to me. for $100 I'll have them looking like new. I'll be using a $5 bottle of cast aluminum cleaner and a ¢.99 brass brush.

PM me if interested.

GASoline71 · 02-06-2016, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Yep, eagle one will have those looking like new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Spray on spray off...it doesn't get any easier

I used to have a set of Centerline Auto-drags on a 1971 El Camino SS and used to use the Eagle 1 "etching" mag and wheel cleaner. Complete spray on hose off aluminum cleaner. Best wheel cleaner I'd ever used for non-coated aluminum wheels. So I don't see why it wouldn't work just as good on non-coated aluminum valve covers.

Gary

Redline novdog · 02-06-2016, 10:45 AM

I would try the above mentioned solutions. Can't hurt. Good cleaning and shoot 'em with a rattle can. Wipe off or sand the fins and clearcoat.Should get you a nice set of covers
I will share,I tried sandblasting a set of M/T's for a SBC for my nephew. I could not get all the black coating off. I didn't try aircraft paint stripper (time constraints) .I powder coated them Chevy orange and sanded the fins.They were a pain is the rear. If only I knew then what I know now.

drewbert41 · 02-06-2016, 03:38 PM

Interesting. I just wasn't wanting to buy a polisher and respirator and all that. Since I am not that picky the spray on and spray off option sounds nice.

Redline novdog · 02-06-2016, 03:54 PM

I would say you will like the end result. if you run into a mess give me a pm. I can front you some steel covers. Not a hoarder just playing with powder coating!!! I think you're about 1-1/2 away?

GRX · 02-06-2016, 04:55 PM

Local machine shop ... trip through the hot tank - glass beaded - then sprayed with Seymour Alumi Blast. Will look great for years. Typically $30 around here.

1968SWBBigBlock · 02-07-2016, 11:14 PM

https://www.facebook.com/IpolishDit-...2207800900928/

This guy has done some for me - very good work - Check out the pictures - the Big Block B&M valve covers where the last set he did for me.

drewbert41 · 02-09-2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968SWBBigBlock

https://www.facebook.com/IpolishDit-...2207800900928/

This guy has done some for me - very good work - Check out the pictures - the Big Block B&M valve covers where the last set he did for me.

Really nice work but charges twice what I paid. I would go to him if I had some really old hot rod for sure.

davepl · 02-09-2016, 02:35 PM

Wouldn't glass beading clean them up pretty well?

You could also wire wheel them to clean them and then shoot them with a good aluminum paint. I even paint a lot of my new bare aluminum because it doesn't look good 2-3 years later anyway...

But if the hardcore wheel cleaner (not the enviro safe stuff!) will clean them up, all the better. I used to buy this stuff that was so acidic (or base, I don't actually know) that it foamed away on the wheels for a few minutes and then rinsed off clean. No idea how much aluminum it took with it each time though!

drewbert41 · 02-09-2016, 05:48 PM

I contacted a few local machine shops today with no luck. They said they do not do automotive.

Hitting them with the wire wheel and some aluminum paint sounds like a pretty good idea. Like I said I am not big on bling anyways.

Would the scratches from the wire wheel show up through aluminum paint?

GRX · 02-09-2016, 06:24 PM

No automotive machine shops in your area? That is a shame. Ask around your local service garages. They should know.

Deep scratches will show through paint. Be sure to get them VERY clean first. A good spray with Brake Clean then a scrubbing with soap & water should do the trick. Then dry them completely. More time you spend before painting the better it will look and longer it will last

02-05-2016, 04:22 PM	#1
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Aluminum valve cover service Does anyone on here clean up valve covers for people? If not do any of you know a reputable person to send them to? They are Cal Custom finned valve covers.

02-05-2016, 05:48 PM	#3
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,312	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Can you post a photo of them ? Interested to see the condition of aluminum?..... __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

02-05-2016, 05:49 PM	#4
Willie Makeit Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,211	Re: Aluminum valve cover service cast aluminum wheel cleaner

02-05-2016, 05:58 PM	#5
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Everyone talks about how much of a pain it is. Id rather just put em on the way they are or pay someone. It is not a show truck so I don't mind either way. I stumbled across someone who had people mail them to him for a fee on another forum but I don't remember which one.

02-05-2016, 06:02 PM	#6
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: Aluminum valve cover service

02-05-2016, 06:32 PM	#7
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,844	Re: Aluminum valve cover service I've done it with fine steel wool (eventually very fine) and Aluminum Jelly... and as stated above, a lot of elbow grease. Yours look like they'd clean up fairly easy. EDIT: This procedure results in a natural raw aluminum finish. Not polished.

02-05-2016, 10:38 PM	#9
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Yet, no one is up for the job lol.

02-05-2016, 10:47 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,996	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Spray on spray off...it doesn't get any easier __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

02-06-2016, 10:45 AM	#13
Redline novdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington,Il Posts: 632	Re: Aluminum valve cover service I would try the above mentioned solutions. Can't hurt. Good cleaning and shoot 'em with a rattle can. Wipe off or sand the fins and clearcoat.Should get you a nice set of covers I will share,I tried sandblasting a set of M/T's for a SBC for my nephew. I could not get all the black coating off. I didn't try aircraft paint stripper (time constraints) .I powder coated them Chevy orange and sanded the fins.They were a pain is the rear. If only I knew then what I know now. __________________ It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS

02-06-2016, 03:38 PM	#14
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Interesting. I just wasn't wanting to buy a polisher and respirator and all that. Since I am not that picky the spray on and spray off option sounds nice.

02-06-2016, 03:54 PM	#15
Redline novdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington,Il Posts: 632	Re: Aluminum valve cover service I would say you will like the end result. if you run into a mess give me a pm. I can front you some steel covers. Not a hoarder just playing with powder coating!!! I think you're about 1-1/2 away? Attached Images __________________ It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS

02-06-2016, 04:55 PM	#16
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Local machine shop ... trip through the hot tank - glass beaded - then sprayed with Seymour Alumi Blast. Will look great for years. Typically $30 around here. __________________ 1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = = 1969 Pontiac GTO hard top. 400, 4-speed.

02-07-2016, 11:14 PM	#17
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: Aluminum valve cover service https://www.facebook.com/IpolishDit-...2207800900928/ This guy has done some for me - very good work - Check out the pictures - the Big Block B&M valve covers where the last set he did for me. __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

02-09-2016, 02:35 PM	#19
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Aluminum valve cover service Wouldn't glass beading clean them up pretty well? You could also wire wheel them to clean them and then shoot them with a good aluminum paint. I even paint a lot of my new bare aluminum because it doesn't look good 2-3 years later anyway... But if the hardcore wheel cleaner (not the enviro safe stuff!) will clean them up, all the better. I used to buy this stuff that was so acidic (or base, I don't actually know) that it foamed away on the wheels for a few minutes and then rinsed off clean. No idea how much aluminum it took with it each time though! __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

02-09-2016, 05:48 PM	#20
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: Aluminum valve cover service I contacted a few local machine shops today with no luck. They said they do not do automotive. Hitting them with the wire wheel and some aluminum paint sounds like a pretty good idea. Like I said I am not big on bling anyways. Would the scratches from the wire wheel show up through aluminum paint? Last edited by drewbert41; 02-09-2016 at 06:16 PM.



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02-09-2016, 06:24 PM	#21
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: Aluminum valve cover service No automotive machine shops in your area? That is a shame. Ask around your local service garages. They should know. Deep scratches will show through paint. Be sure to get them VERY clean first. A good spray with Brake Clean then a scrubbing with soap & water should do the trick. Then dry them completely. More time you spend before painting the better it will look and longer it will last

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