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Motorsport aluminum valve covers
Brian460,
If they are aluminum, they can be made to look like a mirror if you want them to. But, it takes alot of elbow grease. I will 'assume' that they are corroded since you want to clean them. I don't know if they are painted or not, once again, we will 'assume' they are not painted.
First, clean them with some aftermarket aluminum wheel cleaner (Maquires or Eagle 1). Use the paste cleaner or use the 'stuffing' as we call it. Next start with some 100 or 150 grit sandpaper and sand all the corroded areas making sure you blend it all around. This will make the surface look dull and scratchy, but work it until you clear all the corrosion.
Work your way up with the sandpaper grits. 100/240/400. Now, get ahold of some 600 grit (500 is ok, but 600 is better) and you must now wet sand it. Simply make sure the surface and the sandpaper stay wet the entire time you are sanding. Complete the entire cover.
If you can find some, get ahold of Jeweler's Rouge. It is usually in a solid form. Take a soft lint-free cloth and put a slight amount of Kerosene on it. Now 'rub' that area of the cloth in the Rouge until you have enough of it on the cloth (this softens the rouge to a paste form). Now you need to rub that into the aluminum working in one small area at a time. If it's not shiny enough do it again in the same spot. Continue this process of the entire cover until it shines to your liking! If you cannot find Rouge the next best thing is to use the aluminum wheel cleaner.
Option 1: If you want part or all of the cover to be painted, be sure to get it powdercoated. I would recommend powdercoating before you start w/the 600 grit. Be sure to tape off EVERY SINGLE AREA that you do NOT want coated. If you call a local shop they will supply you w/special tape so you can do this. Once you are done take it back to them for coating. Then proceed w/the 600 grit and on instructions.
Option 2: If you want part of the cover to look like it was sand casted. Simply sand blast the covers all over. This may even save you the first sandpaper step if you are able to get all the corrosion. When you begin climbing in grits, only sand the areas that you want to shine, NOT the areas you want to look like sand casted.
I think this should be more than enough information on it, eh? Let me know how it goes, k?
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2002 F-250 Super Duty XLT 4x4 Extended Cab, Longbed, 5.4L
1987 F-250HD 4x4 Std. Cab Longbed, 5.8L - sold.
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