Cleaning up ally rocker covers

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Feb 06, 09 3:18 pm

Jeff wrote:I got some great Aluminium paint, comes in fine, medium and course.

Of course that should be coarse.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Feb 06, 09 3:24 pm

No, it comes from the north east! DAMN!!!

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Feb 06, 09 5:24 pm

Thanks for all the advice, chaps. Some good tips in there.

Jon, I've PM'd you, out of interest.

Dave wrote: Frost do a "wrinkle finish" black paint similar to what was used on stock street Hemi and the cast Mopar Performance rocker covers.

Hmmm... I wonder if that might suit the rust-i-fied a bit better and be less bling.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri Feb 06, 09 6:19 pm

Bead blasting is the only way those parts will come up really clean. Once you've got the corrosion off, you can set about the covers with some 600 grit wet and dry and a small block. After that they should be smooth enough to polish with Solvol and a cloth, again and again and again, it will take some hours to get a really good shine. Be worth it in the end though...
Those look like I970's Ansen covers by the way, no longer made.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Feb 06, 09 6:27 pm

Cool. I don't mind putting the time into it, that comes free!

Ansen covers?

Is that good or bad?

I really like the look of them, they fit the bill nicely to me.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri Feb 06, 09 6:48 pm

Ansen were one of the original speed part manufacturers back in the day, they made quality stuff. Been out of business for years.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Feb 06, 09 7:19 pm

Get Jeff Brown to knock you up a couple of stickers for them.

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Fri Feb 06, 09 7:53 pm

Stu,

Offer to "do the washing up" whilst the missus "puts her feet up". Slip the covers in the dish washer, along with 1/2 bag of sand, the contents four large bottles of T-Cut and some coarse wire pads. Set for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or the time it takes for her to read Heat or Hello magazine with biscuits and a cup o' tea.

Hey presto! Two sparkly valve covers and not an ounce of elbow grease required!

Disclaimer: the author of this reply is not to be held accountable for the state of the dishwasher, or indeed marriage. 10 minutes is only a guide for the time it takes to be "out of range" before discovery.

For smaller parts, see "How to properly use a washing machine".

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Fri Feb 06, 09 8:49 pm

I agree - glass bead is the best way. Then polish from there if you want to. Intake will be fine as blasted.
Just be very careful about blasting any surface that will see the inside of the engine, I know people who ended up with a glassy sludge in their sump (so guess what it did to the rest of the engine

) after blasting the inside of valve covers.

From the stuff I have blasted, I would think that a good wire brushing after blasting would remove any embedded blast media....but still not sure if I'd risk it. Mask up properly though and you'd be fine.

the dodge · Post by **the dodge** » Fri Feb 06, 09 8:50 pm

Philth wrote:Stu,

Offer to "do the washing up" whilst the missus "puts her feet up". Slip the covers in the dish washer, along with 1/2 bag of sand, the contents four large bottles of T-Cut and some coarse wire pads. Set for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or the time it takes for her to read Heat or Hello magazine with biscuits and a cup o' tea.

Hey presto! Two sparkly valve covers and not an ounce of elbow grease required!

Disclaimer: the author of this reply is not to be held accountable for the state of the dishwasher, or indeed marriage. 10 minutes is only a guide for the time it takes to be "out of range" before discovery.

For smaller parts, see "How to properly use a washing machine".

that could come out more costly in the end thou, but worth a try

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Feb 06, 09 9:40 pm

My cylinder heads and iron intake just came out of the washer rusty.

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Fri Feb 06, 09 9:45 pm

No Dave - that's just remnants of your super special Chilli...

DaveBishop · Post by **DaveBishop** » Fri Feb 06, 09 9:54 pm

Blue said

you can set about the covers with some 600 grit wet and dry and a small block.

Would that be a 318 or 340

Blue I still have those Ansen rocker covers that you sold me

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Feb 06, 09 9:59 pm

Phil, that made me laugh so much that I couldn't help but Sal notice. I read her your reply and she's wetting herself on the other sofa, whilst threatening to divorce me

Blue, that's brilliant info. Might have to get some stickers knocked up like Dave suggests. How about it, Jeff?

Rockers and Intake on their way to Jon B for blasting next week, then just elbow grease from there. Pics to follow.

Thank's for all the help and advice

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Feb 06, 09 10:00 pm

318 Dave.