Can you clean and polish the camshaft cover without removing it from the engine? If so how would you accomplish this task?

 You'll save time and end up with a better looking valve cover if you remove it first. If you leave it on you'll end up cleaning whatever polishing compound you use from adjacent parts. Besides, it's probably time to check your valve adjustments.

After trying this a couple of times, you would be better off finding someone who polishes metal for a living. Its not that expensive to have done and it takes forever to get fully polished

With the cover still installed, it would be really hard to get the back of the cover, and the little crevasses where the bolts sit. Unless you are someone who gets relaxed and enjoys polishing things, the suggestion that you take it to someone who does might be best.

 

Maybe a high RPM Dremmel tool with a light disc of some sort of brillo pad material would be an option for the areas with a lot of flat mass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do i need to cover the valves with some kind of plastic wrapping once i remove the cover? I wouldnt like any insects such as roaches, worms, or mouse inside the valves while i take days to polish the cover. 

I've used a towel in the past.