How To Polish Aluminum Valve Covers
Polishing an aluminum valve cover can be a daunting task. In that location are many dissimilar ways to do information technology, and it can be tricky to get the shine you lot want. In this commodity, we will discuss the best mode to polish an aluminum valve encompass so that it shines like new!
What Are Valve Covers And Why Are They Important?
What Is A Valve Comprehend?
A valve cover is a metal office that covers the summit of an engine's cylinders. It protects the valves and rocker artillery from oil, debris, and other elements that could cause harm. [1]
Types of Valve Covers
There are ii types of valve covers: stock and aftermarket.
Stock valve covers are the ones that come with your engine from the manufactory. Aftermarket valve covers are those you lot tin purchase separately and install on your engine.
The main departure between the two is that aftermarket valve covers are often made from aluminum, while stock valve covers are usually made from steel. Aluminum is much easier to polish than steel, so if you're looking to get a shiny end on your valve cover, it'due south best to become with an aftermarket option.
How To Tell If Y'all Have A Bad Valve Cover?
If your engine is leaking oil, it's likely that you have a bad valve cover. Oil leaks can be caused past a number of things, but a bad valve cover is one of the most common causes. If you run into oil on the basis under your car, or if your engine is depression on oil, information technology's likely that you have a leaky valve cover.
Another way to tell if yous have a bad valve cover is to look for cracks or other damage. If the gasket is damaged, it may not be sealing properly and oil could exist leaking out. Also, if in that location are any cracks in the valve encompass itself, oil could be leaking through them. [2]
If you think you might have a bad valve encompass, it's important to go it replaced equally soon as possible. A leaking valve cover can cause a lot of damage to your engine if it'due south not fixed.
How Much Does A Replacement Valve Cover Cost?
The cost of a replacement valve cover tin vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
A bones valve cover can price anywhere from $110 to $200, while a more premium valve cover could set you back $350 or more.
If you're looking to relieve some money, you may be able to discover a used valve encompass for as little every bit $110. All the same, it'due south of import to make sure that the used valve cover is in expert condition before making your buy. [3]
How To Smoothen Aluminum Valve Cover
If your engine is starting to look a little dull, you may be considering polishing the aluminum valve comprehend. Polishing an aluminum valve cover can assist to restore its shine and luster, making it expect new again.
Cleaning Tools & Materials
Before you become started, you'll need to gather a few supplies. For this project you will need:
- Clean rags or shop towels
- Degreaser (optional)
- Mild soap and h2o (for degreasing)
- Soft scrub brush (optional)
- Polishing compound
- High speed polisher
- Protective gloves
- Rubber glasses
Steps To Polish Aluminum Valve Cover
At that place are a few different ways that you can go virtually polishing an aluminum valve cover. You can use a commercial polish, or you tin can make your ain polish using items that y'all probably already take effectually the house.
To brand your own polish, y'all will need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- H2o
- A clean cloth
- An old toothbrush (optional)
Step 1: Start past mixing together equal parts of baking soda and vinegar.
Step two: Add a lilliputian flake of h2o to the mixture and stir until information technology forms a paste.
Pace 3: Use the cloth to apply the paste to the valve cover.
Stride 4: Permit the paste to sit down on the valve embrace for a few minutes.
Pace 5: Utilise the toothbrush to scrub the paste into the surface of the valve embrace if needed.
Pace 6: Rinse the paste off with water and dry the valve cover with a clean cloth.
You tin can employ this same process to polish other aluminum surfaces every bit well. Just be sure to rinse the expanse well afterwards and dry out it completely to avert any water spots.
If y'all don't want to make your own polish, there are a number of commercial polishes that you tin can purchase. Be sure to read the label carefully to make sure that it is safe for use on aluminum surfaces.
Step 1: Start by reading the label on the commercial polish to run across if it is condom for utilise on aluminum surfaces.
Step 2: Apply the polish to a clean material.
Stride 3: Rub the polish into the surface of the valve cover in a circular motility.
Pace 4: Permit the polish to sit on the valve comprehend for a few minutes.
Step 5: Buff the polish off with a clean, dry cloth.
How to Get Scratches Out of Aluminum Valve Cover
There are a few ways that you can get scratches out of your aluminum valve cover. Y'all tin use a polishing compound, sandpaper, or a buffing wheel.
If the scratch is shallow, you may be able to remove information technology with sandpaper.
If the scratch is deeper, yous will demand to utilize a polishing compound or buffing bicycle.
To apply a polishing compound, apply a modest corporeality of compound to a clean material and rub it into the scratch in a circular motion. Continue rubbing until the scratch disappears. To use a buffing wheel, attach the buffing wheel to your drill and plow it on. Agree the buffing wheel against the scratch and move it in a round movement. The heat from the buffing wheel volition melt the aluminum and make full in the scratch.
Once y'all take removed the scratch, you can and so smooth the valve cover to brand it shine. To do this, utilise a small-scale amount of polish to a clean material and rub it into the valve cover in a circular motion. Continue rubbing until the valve cover is shining. You lot can then remove the excess polish with a clean cloth.
If you have an aluminum valve cover that is scratched, you can easily remove the scratches with a polishing compound, sandpaper, or buffing cycle. Once you have removed the scratches, you can then polish the valve cover to make information technology smoothen. Apply a small amount of polish to a make clean cloth and rub it into the valve cover in a circular move. Go along rubbing until the valve embrace is shining. You can then remove the backlog shine with a clean cloth.
Tips & Warnings
- Launder the valve comprehend with soap and water earlier starting to smooth. This will help remove any dirt or grime that could exist on the surface.
- Polishing aluminum can be a messy process, so brand sure to practise information technology in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear gloves while polishing to avoid getting the aluminum dust on your skin.
- If you are using a power drill with a polishing zipper, first at a depression speed and gradually increase the speed every bit needed.
Following these tips volition help you get the best results when polishing your aluminum valve cover. Think to have your time and be careful not to damage the surface. With a petty patience, you lot tin have a shiny and new-looking valve cover in no time.
FAQ
Does Toothpaste polish aluminum?
Aye, toothpaste tin can be used to shine aluminum. You volition need to use a non-abrasive toothpaste and rub information technology into the aluminum in a circular motion. Once y'all accept rubbed the toothpaste into the aluminum, rinse it off with warm water. Your aluminum should at present have a shine to it.
What grit sandpaper is best for aluminum?
The best grit sandpaper for aluminum is usually between 120 and 220. depending on how much smooth y'all want to accomplish. If your valve cover is very dull, start with 120 grit and work your way up to 220. If it'southward only slightly boring, then kickoff with 220 dust. Either style, be sure to utilise a moisture/dry out sandpaper so that it doesn't clog up as quickly.
How do y'all polish aluminum to a mirror finish?
There are a few different ways that you can smooth aluminum to a mirror finish, just the nearly mutual method is using a buffing wheel and polishing compound. To start, you lot'll desire to clean the valve embrace with soap and water to remove any dirt or grime. Once information technology's make clean, attach the buffing wheel to your drill and use some polishing compound to the surface of the valve encompass. Buff the valve cover in a circular motion until yous see a glossy, mirror-like stop. If necessary, you can use a higher dust buffing pad to remove any remaining scratches or imperfections.
What can I apply to clean the valve cover?
You lot will need a few things to get started: dish soap, a toothbrush or other small brush, and aluminum polish. You can find aluminum shine at virtually auto parts stores. Make sure you get the kind that is specifically for aluminum – there are other polishes that may work, just they could too damage the valve cover.
How do you make aluminum polish without polishing it?
Ane manner to brand aluminum smoothen without polishing it is to use a product called Metal Rescue. This production is a rust remover that can too exist used to make clean and polish metallic surfaces. Metal Rescue will remove any oxidation from the surface of the aluminum and will leave it looking shiny and new. Another way to make aluminum shine without polishing information technology is to use a product chosen Summit Metal Shine. This smoothen is designed specifically for metals, and it will remove any tarnish or scratches from the surface of the aluminum.
Pinnacle Metal Polish will too protect the metal from hereafter harm, making it look like new for longer. Neither of these products, you should follow the instructions on the characterization carefully. Exam the product on a small area of the aluminum first to make sure it does not harm the surface. Apply the product to a make clean, soft fabric and rub it into the aluminum in a circular motion. Rinse the area with water and dry out it with a soft textile. You should run into a noticeable difference in the advent of the aluminum. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can echo the process until you are happy with the mode it looks. Remember to ever read and follow the instructions on all cleaning products before using them.
How do you make clean brushed aluminum valve covers?
Bold your valve cover is already brushed aluminum, you'll just demand to clean it with a balmy lather and water solution. You can likewise use a polishing compound if your valve cover is looking dull. Be sure to rinse the valve encompass thoroughly after cleaning or polishing
Tin I use wd40 to clean aluminum?
Yes, you can apply WD-40 to make clean aluminum. However, it is not the most constructive cleaner and may non remove all of the dirt and grime. For a more thorough cleaning, use a balmy detergent or alcohol-based cleaner.
Tin I utilize vinegar to make clean my valve cover?
Yes, y'all tin use vinegar to make clean your valve cover. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that will non damage the aluminum. But soak a cloth in vinegar and wipe downwards the valve encompass.
Useful Video: How to make your VALVE COVERS Polish!!!
Conclusions
If you're looking for an easy way to add a touch of class to your engine bay, polishing your aluminum valve embrace is a great place to kickoff. Non simply is it a relatively simple process, but it'southward besides very rewarding. In merely a few minutes, y'all tin transform your dull, drab valve cover into a matter of beauty.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and requite information technology a try! You might be surprised at how much satisfaction you get from seeing your own handiwork shining in the sun. Thanks for reading!
References:
- https://www.gmpartscenter.net/weblog/valve-covers-explained
- https://mechanicbase.com/engine/valve-cover-symptoms/
- https://www.megagasket.com/en/blog/111-what-is-a-valve-cover-gasket-what-is-the-cost-if-a-valve-cover-gasket-needs-replacing
Source: https://metalprofy.com/blog/how-to-polish-an-aluminum-valve-cover/
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