I am having the center intake media blasted with stuff that's better for aluminum,then having it powder coated clear. My issue is the valve covers. I don't want them polished, but I am not sure the blasting will clean them like I want them done.These are the real deal covers and I don't want to take a chance damaging them.I have done a couple intakes and they came out good. BTW the other intake was sold off long time ago..
Folks might laugh but the best thing I've found for alum. is a industrial grade toilet bowl cleaner that I purchase @ the Home Hardware outlets up here in Canada. Best to wear gloves and glasses when handling this product but it will after a soaking or spraying bring back the fresh as cast cleanest alum you could want for after a cold water rinse to remove the dirt and neutralize the acid in the product, and it works fast.
Get some strong alumni cleaner like a wire wheels acid type. It will eat everything . Try and find a local detail supply shop
Pat- Let me see if I can find before/after pictures of the set I did. Wet sanding 320-400-800-1000-2000 then polish on a buffing wheel with cheap 3 step I bought at Ollie’s. It was meguiar brand if I remember correctly. I’ll admit- it was intimidating to wet sand these. I think I spent a few hours googling “how to polish aluminum valve covers” before doing it. I was really happy with the end result. The below pics were before the final sand and buff.
I just posted the information below a few days ago regarding restoring aluminum wheels, .... the same will hold true with your valve covers and intake as well: "If you are looking for professional results then I recommend you check with your local marine supply center and ask for a product called "Zing". A more cost effective alternative to Zing is simply "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner. Another process that I came up with is to use Ultra Fine glass bead, as it will leave an excellent smooth satin finish. After you've blasted them, ... hit them with soapy "SOS" pads. Grab a new pad as soon as the blue soap starts to diminish". Larry
Pat, do what I do. Wait till the wife leaves and throw them in the dishwasher. You'd be amazed how well that dishwashing detergent works on those parts. Then you have to run another cycle with no parts after to clean out any evidence
Quoted from above post 1................These are the real deal covers and I don't want to take a chance damaging them. Why do you call These real deal? At first glance I thought these were a set of BUICK nail head VCs. Now I see they are a common set of Idlebroke POScrape castings. I will admit Im not a fan of Idlebroke.
BBB Edelbrock valve covers are not easy to find and are very high quality. I wish I still had the set I sold a few years ago.
Those must be old. Ive never saw Idlebroke & high quality in many years.. The intake that came in my car is a complete POS Piss poor casting.. To me its not worth the beer cans it made out of..
I've currently got a Torker II on my Mustang and a Performer RPM on my F100 which I got a year or two ago. Always been good stuff for me, although for all out performance there's usually better brands. They seem to take it safe and conservative from the factory.
These valve covers are very hard to find for Buick’s. I’ve had great luck with edelbrock stuff. There is a set on eBay for $550 right now.
I have had good luck with Napa Aluminum Brightner and a plastic brush. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MCR1458 It's tough stuff -- gloves and goggles are a must & use outdoors... Great at removing grease - it worked wonders on my aluminum power steering bracket.
Ok. Oldschool Castings Farmed out Made in the old days by a real foundry ... Not the scrape they make today.
Use a very fine blast media, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. That will clean them nicely without damaging the surface much. Then blast with some NEW larger diameter glass beads at a low pressure. They will peen the surface a little and produce a bright shiny finish. Some of those cleaners mentioned are alkaline and can etch aluminum. It's fine for cleaning but don't soak them too long or use on polished surfaces.
