polished valve covers and plenum

[ga.spyder]

Has anyone out there polished the valve covers and/or plenum on their cars? I posted a pix of a polished next to a bare cover. I bought 3 covers and a plenum from a guy ,to experiment with($10).He had no clue as to what was used to polish the 1 cover ,but it is polished smooth.Any suggestions would be helpful,or is it a waste of time and should I look into powder coat or chrome? I really would just as soon polish them and spend the money on something else!
Craig

[azygoustoyou]

Hi,
Your going to have to sand it down to make it smooth before you start to polish it. Or you'll be there for days and no fingertips.
I'm sure there is a lot out there that would do the job. There is a product called "never dull" that works pretty good.

[mdrburchette]

Here's a link someone on the X forum posted on how to polish aluminum. It's basically the same steps I used when polishing my v/c's and intake. Beware that it takes a LOT of patience but is well worth it once you're done. I also use a brillo pad when cleaning my aluminum wheels.
http://www.poleringsguide.se/english/

Here are some pics of my polished pieces:

[So Cal Mark]

here is the link to the polished covers that I offer
http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/products.htm

[ga.spyder]

Thanks ,Brady I went at the cover w/ 120 sandpaper this p.m. and got it almost to the smooth point.Denise ,that site is exactly what I was looking for. I dont mind putting in the time if I can get those results. Did you purchase that polishing kit or wing it w/ what you had? I can work on these at my leisure as the car still runs ,these parts are all spares.Mark .I'll polish these and save the money for the spoiler I will get from you soon!
Craig

[Jazgeek]

this stuff works amazing... I haven't had a lot of time to play with it, but I tried it on the FI manifold and it made it about 100% better than it was before and I didn't really spend a lot of time on it or use any brillo.. just straight on, rub and wipe

http://gordsaluminumpolish.com/

[pope]

Hey Denise,
Is there really recipes in that box, or is it a place to store a new water pump till its needed? LOL


Your work is really first rate and I am in the middle of the polishing a lot of parts myself and only hope to have them come out half as nice as yours

[mdrburchette]

Craig, the link was posted after I tried my hand at polishing, but my dremel came with those bits and I have a polishing wheel in the basement. I used the polishing sticks I got from Lowe's.

Pope, those are recipes in the box. I do most of my fine polishing at the kitchen bar while I keep an eye on the kids and cook dinner. I'm glad I don't have a spouse that complains when I bring car parts into the house! Just this weekend, Ron had parts in the oven and freezer trying to get new bearings in his rearend.

Jazgeek, that stuff must be amazing! I might have to buy some to see how well it works.

[ga.spyder]

Jazgeek ,I bought a bottle of ''Big Gord's'' metal polish and WOW that is some great stuff.It even came w/ a red shop rag for application! I'll post some pix later but the valve covers are like mirrors...almost.
Craig

[Jazgeek]

definately need pics!

did you do it in compartment or did you take them out?

[ga.spyder]

I purchased a spare set of covers so they were out of the car already. I sanded them starting w/120 grit and finished w/400 wet paper.They looked ok but really popped after using the polish.Ill get some pix tomorrow and post them.I also did a spare plenum and it turned out great!
Craig

[racydave]

Aluminum will cloud back up, esp with de-greasers. Would it be a good idea to somehow seal them? After I cleaned my eng, it turned chalky, I sprayed it with rusty, and it looks much better now.

[ga.spyder]

Here is a pic of covers and plenum.They look great ,but I might try to take them a little further. Dave ,the supplier says this is a all in one polish ,no need for more coating. We'll see...
Craig

[Jazgeek]

wow! well done. I originally bought the Gord's just for the rims.... now I have a weekend project....

might even drag out the dremmel to get in the fiat emboss.

[KRegester]

Very nice work!
I have a sandblasting cabinet I was thinking of glass bead or walnut hulling the covers & injector plenum then clear coating them. Polishing looks nice tho.. May have to rethink the finish..