1969 350/350 Valve covers

[james Kekeisen]

I would like to bring my 69 350/350 aluminum valve covers back to life. I would like to know if my bead blaster with glass beads would be too abrasive and should I just stick to aluminum polish. They are fairly discolored from years and heat. If bead plasting is the way to go can I use high temp clear coat to cover them after I finish to prevent discoloration a spotting?

Thanks, Jim

[Al C.]

Re: 1969 350/350 Valve covers

Jim-
Following recommendations on this board, I recently had my '58 aluminum vc's "reskinned" by Jerry MacNeish (Camaro Hi-Performance Inc., 5750 Kinsmen Courage Ct., Eldersburg, MD 21784) and they look really good. The cost was quite reasonable. His email is z28Camaroman@juno.com.
... Al '58 #378 245hp

[james Kekeisen]

Re: 1969 350/350 Valve covers

Thanks Al, but I'm looking to do it myself, my 68 with its 69 motor is at best a driver. I'm seeking a nice look, I just didn't want to ruin the covers with my bead blaster.

Jim

[Bill W.]

Re: 1969 350/350 Valve covers

do not blast or clear . I cleaned the greese and oil off of mine with solvent then scrubbed them with soft scrub, a little ajax and a lot of tide soap.if they have a lot of deep stains you can keep them damp and cover them with tide for a few hours it will pull out most of the stain and will not hurt any factory overspray or origional texture.you cannot reskin anything that didnt have a skin in the first place. BILL

[Bill #34162]

Re: 1969 350/350 Valve covers

Jim - I removed mine from the car and screwed them down to a piece of scrap plywood. Three hours later with a Dremel tool, buffing wheels and aluminum polish, they looked pretty good.

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1969 350/350 Valve covers

Some people use a product called "Alumaprep." Some use "Naval Jelley." If you use Naval Jelley, make sure you get the one for aluminum. Both these products rely on a mild solution of acid (phosphoric?) for cleaning aluminum.

Don't blast them. Don't polish them. You'll destroy the as cast surface which is noticeable. They'll look better blasted, but true aficionados of these covers prefer the as cast look. These covers are expensive.

Scrub the hell out of them with Naval Jelley, Simple Green, lacquer thinner, soap and water and metal polish. That's the best they're gonna get.

Don't clear coat them. The clear coat, even the high temperature kind, yellows with age. If it should ever degrade or wear away, you'll have to strip the old clear cover before treating again. I would not relish the job of paint stripping in and around those ribs.