Polishing Aluminum Valve Covers

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mopowers

mopowers

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I'm putting my little 340 back together and figure now is the best time to shine the valve covers up and put a fresh coat of paint on them. What do you guys recommend for shining up aluminum? I'm not looking for perfection and do not want to spend 100 hours on these things. I just want to make them look presentable. Do you guys think one of those wheel buffing kits (like Chip Foose sells) that chucks up into a drill would work?

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I have had good luck using one of those on a drill and use mothers aluminum polish. Mothers makes a polish that is for the ball that isn't quite as thick that worked well for me.... It came in a red bottle. Get some gloves.... The polish turns black and gets a little messy.
 
I use mothers polish and a super fine steel wool! 000 or if they are in decent shape 0000! A little elbow grease goes a long way! You could always get them powder coated by cudachick!
 
Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. Not sure who cuda chick is but I'm hoping I can get these shining enough to not have to ship them. Again, I'm not looking for perfection; just figured I'd hit them with a tiny bit of elbow grease before reinstalling. Looks like the mothers polish is pretty popular. I actually know a chemist that works for Mothers, so I'll have to talk to him and see what he recommends. Thanks again.
 
mopowers said:
Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. Not sure who cuda chick is but I'm hoping I can get these shining enough to not have to ship them. ...
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That would be me. :-D If your Mother's tech guy isn't much help feel free to give me a call, but I can't really show up and fetch them from your garage.
 
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