Cleaning Aluminum valve covers?

Jeff Stout · 06-07-2021, 12:52 PM

Want to make valve covers look nice and new looking again. Not wanting polished but mild corrosion, and dull removed. Some kind of blasting, chemical? Thanks. Sorry tried posting picture but it is to large from my phone

Dave Noll · 06-07-2021, 09:31 PM

Get some new Glass Bead from MSC or other similar supplier.(But clean all the oil out of them 1st or the glass will pack into wherever its wet.) After a few uses the glass will break down and get real powdery which will change the appearance of what you are blasting.

FED 387 · 06-07-2021, 11:30 PM

NAPA aluminum brightener----nasty stuff so follow directions carefully---wear gloves and eye protection---- DO NOT GET IT ON YOUR SKIN OR BREATH THE FUMES ---it will burn you has acid in it---FED 387

BillK · 06-08-2021, 07:34 AM

See if there is anyone around that does soda blasting. It will make them look very nice with no chance of engine damage like you have with glass beads.

Mark Yacavone · 06-08-2021, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

NAPA aluminum brightener----nasty stuff so follow directions carefully---wear gloves and eye protection---- DO NOT GET IT ON YOUR SKIN OR BREATH THE FUMES ---it will burn you has acid in it---FED 387

I've used it, and the Purple Power version (not the purple cleaner).
You have to be careful. It turns some material dark, rather that bright.

65signet · 06-08-2021, 05:35 PM

Wet blasting is amazing what it can do to the finish

06-07-2021, 12:52 PM	#1
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,484 Likes: 65 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Cleaning Aluminum valve covers? Want to make valve covers look nice and new looking again. Not wanting polished but mild corrosion, and dull removed. Some kind of blasting, chemical? Thanks. Sorry tried posting picture but it is to large from my phone Last edited by Jeff Stout; 06-07-2021 at 01:08 PM. Reason: more

06-07-2021, 09:31 PM	#2
Dave Noll Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Div. 6, Eastern, WA Posts: 709 Likes: 2,636 Liked 238 Times in 111 Posts	Re: Cleaning Aluminum valve covers? Get some new Glass Bead from MSC or other similar supplier.(But clean all the oil out of them 1st or the glass will pack into wherever its wet.) After a few uses the glass will break down and get real powdery which will change the appearance of what you are blasting. __________________ Dave Noll, EF/S ,?/SA 6526

06-07-2021, 11:30 PM	#3
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,409 Likes: 504 Liked 328 Times in 176 Posts	Re: Cleaning Aluminum valve covers? NAPA aluminum brightener----nasty stuff so follow directions carefully---wear gloves and eye protection---- DO NOT GET IT ON YOUR SKIN OR BREATH THE FUMES ---it will burn you has acid in it---FED 387

06-08-2021, 07:34 AM	#4
BillK Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Waldorf Md Posts: 230 Likes: 12 Liked 30 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Cleaning Aluminum valve covers? See if there is anyone around that does soda blasting. It will make them look very nice with no chance of engine damage like you have with glass beads. __________________ Bill Koustenis

06-08-2021, 05:35 PM	#6
65signet Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: El Dorado Ca. Posts: 121 Likes: 291 Liked 44 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Cleaning Aluminum valve covers? Wet blasting is amazing what it can do to the finish Attached Thumbnails __________________ Steven Barnes Stock 704 N/SA Last edited by 65signet; 06-08-2021 at 05:40 PM.