Valve cover cleaning?

I dont think you will have too much luck cleaning the front valve cover.Probably best to wait to the next time the valve clearances need adjusting.Here are a few pics of my valve cover in three stages.The first is how it was when I removed it.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=355266&d=1152610772

 

This is how it turned out after I beadblasted it.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=355267&d=1152611175

 

And finally after I had it polished.It looks shinyer in the picture but I had the polisher make it more of a satin finish.They have been in the car for over a year and a half and they look just as good.I occasionally just wipe them down and clean them with some thinners.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=355270&d=1152611553

 

And while I'm at it here are ones of the belt covers before and after the polish.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=355292&d=1152612114

 

After the polish.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=355293&d=1152612227
This was all done when I rebuilt the engine

 

Maurice,,,

Did you see (have) any small cracks in the front belt cover, after you bead blasted it?
(I really like that polished look.)

Edwardo

 

How about a pic of the engine after all the polished parts are back in place???

 

Wow

Nice!!!

 

No cracks whatsoever but it showed how the casting isn't perfect.
The polishing made it look much better and the guy only charged be $80 to do the 2 valve covers,2 belt covers and the rear engine brace.I was impressed with his work that I brought him a case of beer which he appreciated more than the cash

 

Dino I didn't take a proper picture of the engine altogether with all the bits on it before it went in.I did'nt have my camera the day we put it back in.I do have a pick though of the engine back in the car that was taken later.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=329724&d=1147766999
Note that the ignition leads have been replace by red ones since the photo was taken

 

looks neat maurice, but how do you keep the shine longterm............ heaps of elbow grease..... or did you clearcoat them........

 

Did the same polishing with my valve and belt covers. No need to blast before you polish, you can even use a polish set for the drill. You should treat scratches with fine sand paper before polishing. PITA is to remove the polish wax between the Ferrari letters. It is still shiny after one year, without clear coating.

Regards
Harry

 

I tried a dremel on mine and it didn't help.

I think i'd use 1200 grit sand paper and then a sisal wheel with the black compound first then follow with a cloth wheel and the white compound last

 

Funny you should ask ... I started cleaning my rear valve cover today. I've tried numerous pastes and lotions and potions and techniques in the past, but none of them were really satisfactory. Personally, I don't like the idea of media blasting either ... I'm no expert, but I imagine it changes the finish in a way that's non-original. Anyway, each unto his/her own, and I certainly do not want to offend anybody.

FINALLY though, I seem to have found a combo of products and techniques that is most impressive:

We've all heard of POR-15 ... right? Well, check out their full range of products. I think I invented a good 4-step process today:

1. Do a quick pre-clean using POR's Marine Clean product cut with 5 parts of water. Just apply sparingly using a stiff tooth brush, work it in thoroughly, then wipe off using a damp cloth. Do a small section at a time.

2. Then apply a tiny tiny amount of POR's Artisan Metal Polish. Again, apply very sparingly using a stiff tooth brush, and work it in thoroughly.

3. Buff off the black residue that remains after step (2) using a soft cloth.

4. Repeat step (1).

I think you'll be impressed.

For the belt covers just use a tiny bit of Artisan Metal Polish and a soft cloth. You don't need to make a huge multi-step performance out of this.

I was thinking of patenting my 4 step process because it impressed me so much (!!!!!), but being the kind soul that I am I have decided to share the knowledge instead.

Happy buffing,

Simon.

 

No clearcoat and no elbow grease at all.Just once in a while I use a rag with some methylated spirits or thinners and clean it but it doesn't get that dirty.Its been 18 months now and they still look the same

 

Simon if you see in the picture of when I had it bead blasted it looks like the original finish,but I dont think it would be easy to keep clean.The reason I had it polished so that it was easier to keep clean.The raised lettering is a bit of a pain so I just left it as was

 

Yes, I do agree, if you keep the original texture to the cam cover it's always going to be a PITA to keep it clean. However, yesterday's discovery taught me that a tooth brush and a 5:1 mixture of water:marine clean should make it reasonably easy to clean.

 

Man, all you guys are posting some super relevant "sticky worth" stuff. Quirky behavior on my part but I do my best to NEVER re-install a dirty part. Ever.

Here's my engine before and after my 30k service. The tech was nice enough to deliver my parts to me for the cleaning, and I basically did Simple Green, lots of rinse, then Mothers aluminum polish, then Nevr Dull. Left it as is. Mine's nowhere near as nice as Maurice, but came out okay.
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