Finned aluminum valve covers

[jnelcar]

I just bought a pair of LT-1 style finned aluminum valve covers. The previous owner gave them an aerosol can paint job complete with runs! What is the best way to refurbish these parts? Should I take them to the local plating shop and have them polished or would a media blasting be better or more correct?

 

[JohnZ]

I'd use paint stripper on them first to get the paint off - then you can see what kind of aluminum surface you're dealing with underneath, and proceed based on what you find.

 

[C3forME]

I bought a used set of LT-1 covers for my car and cleaned them up nicely with Mothers Metal and Aluminum polish. Be careful as to the chemicals that you use on them, it stains the aluminum and is difficult to polish out. I cleaned mine up with Castrol Super Clean and had one heck of a job polishing them afterwards. They eventually came out nice but required alot of heavy duty rubbing and buffing with the mothers to get them looking good.

 

[JohnZ]

Here's the finish they had originally (on my '69 Z/28 - same part was used on the Corvette); these have been "re-skinned", along with the intake, alternator, and A.I.R. pump.

 

[JohnZ]

Re-skinning aluminum is a "tumbling" process that uses proprietary media and chemicals; check it out at www.z28camaro.com - Jerry does terrific work!

 

[Tom73]

I used alumnum wheel cleaner and a Scotch Brite pad to clean up the ones on my L82.

tom...