Recommended method for a basic valve cover polish...?

[sonofzzzap]

I have done a search, but what I am specifically looking for is what grit sandpaper to use and maybe any tips you guys have to offer. I'm replacing the pcv valve and valve cover gasket tomorrow, decided to go ahead and do this so I have will more to fill my day off..

[Zs-ondabrain]

try this one out first, I'll look for some more for ya

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10716&highlight=valve+cover+polish

[260Zed]

decided to go ahead and do this so I have will more to fill my day off..

Don't worry, it will definately fill your day. If I recall correctly I started at about 600 grit? (could be wrong) then to 800 & 1000. I would also get the graded steel wool to use after that. And a polishing drill bit for finish. Good Luck.

I'm sure that if you started off with a heavier grit and worked all the way through you would get an amazing finish (as some members have here) But my fingers just can't take all that abuse in one session.

Luke

[Zs-ondabrain]

Here's another one.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7712&highlight=valve+cover+polish

And 260Zed is right, It's gonna take awhile. Especially if you are gonna do it right.

[Alfadog]

Start at 600? Geez! I think you could start at a fair bit less than that. Use wet sand paper too. And take pictures (before and after)! So you can show off your work here afterwards.

[Gav240z]

I wanted to attempt it myself aswell however i don't have the right equipment to get in and around the Nissan logo easily enough but I can at least practice on 1 of the 4 valve covers i have

[TomoHawk]

I started with an S.O.S. pad to get the grease off which seemed to do half the job! Then some 280-grit for the corners where you can see 'stretch marks.' I don't think that was coarse enough, but I'll keep at it with the 280.

Some good tips for polishing between the lettering would help- besides grinding the letters off

thx

[MikeW]

The key to polishing with sandpaper is to always use the coarsest grit needed to remove all of the current defects. I think I started with 80 grit because there were various scratches and pits already in the valve cover before I started. Sure, you could polish it up with metal polish right away but it's going to be nice and shiny everywhere there's not already a defect.

Once you get all of the defects out with the coarse sandpaper you move to the next grade. You're basically removing all of the scratches left by the previous grade. If you try to skip grades you'll end up doing much more work in the long run. I think I used 80, 100, 120, 180, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, followed by various metal polishes. It's very important to make sure you've gotten everything before moving on to the next level. If not you'll end up backing up and repeating yourself. You don't want to be working with 400 and suddenly notice that there are still scratches left by the 120.

Others have claimed that you can take your valve cover somewhere that does this kind of work where they use a big buffing wheel. That would definitely be a lot easier.

Here's the article that I used:

http://www.georgiazclub.com/tips/ztech/coverpolish.htm

[panchovisa]

Scrapers made from old files work great where you can't reach with your fingers. Triangle files can be ground on fine bench grinder wheel to almost any shape. Dip file in kerosene to lubricate file so as not to gall surface.

The edges of the file must be burr free, use a stone to slick off burrs.

Use the files before wasting your finger tips on the sandpaper.

Cotton wheels (stack two together) on your bench grinder with various rouge compounds work wonders after good sanding. Polishes up so nice your new raw fingerprints will actually scratch surface.

First (and last) valve cover I polished took about 40 hours. I sold it for 600 bucks. The guy who bought it ruined it with wrench scratches and wipe downs with filty grease rags full of road grit within a week.

[sonofzzzap]

I appreciate it guys, It was late when I was searching I guess I didn't look hard enough , maybe I was half asleep? hehe. It seems like if I wanna do it, I need to do it right, I should probably find me a cheap valve cover somwhere and work on it before I attempt this on my daily, it will take longer than I anticipated...

** I just bid on one on ebay, im the first bidder and auction is about to close, there are a few others selling as well if anyone is interested..**