74 aluminum valve cover restoration

[Joseph P.]

I damaged my 74 aluminum polished valve covers. I used a degreaser that ruined the finish. They are now dull with black spots and look chauky. Any help to restore these covers will be appreciated. thank you Joe

[John D.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Joe, Typical valve cover refinishing that done on the earlier Corvette script valve covers is not good enough-not correct for your polished valve covers.
You must have used a strong degreaser. What did you use that attacked the aluminum so bad? Good luck, JD

[Michael W.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Oops, see below.

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

74s have painted valve covers with polished fin edges. Surely the paint would cover the stains?

MIKE-
Are you saying that these valve covers should be painted (silver / aluminum with black between the fins) and not a natural aluminum finish? "L-48 painted orange valve covers & L-82 ribbed natural finish cast valve covers" according to the 73-74 TIM. Now I wonder if mine are too clean and shinney?

Marty

[Michael W.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Sorry, brain f*rt on my part, was thinking of even later C3 covers. Ignore my post above.

[Joseph P.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

MIKE-
Are you saying that these valve covers should be painted (silver / aluminum with black between the fins) and not a natural aluminum finish? "L-48 painted orange valve covers & L-82 ribbed natural finish cast valve covers" according to the 73-74 TIM. Now I wonder if mine are too clean and shinney?

Marty

Mine looked just like yours and my car is the same L-48 conv. The engine valve covers looked just like yours. What if anything can I do to get it back to this? Thank you all for your input. Joe

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Joe, a little extra/extra fine steel wool and some metal polish will restore them, It may be alittle easier to remove them to polish.if you want you can restore to a mirror finish or just a quick scuffing and minor hand polishing will look like factory.

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Mine looked just like yours and my car is the same L-48 conv. The engine valve covers looked just like yours. What if anything can I do to get it back to this? Thank you all for your input. Joe

JOSEPH-
I polished mine when I took them off to get the head numbers. It's much easier and not as messy as doing them while they're on the heads. As Ed commented, I used "Mothers" Mag & Aluminum polish & a "Mothers" Power Ball along with a tooth brush (for in between the fins) and alot of rags, Q-tips and elbow grease. I also took some drywall screws and secured each valve cover to my work bench before I proceeded. Here's some more pic's. The more you work at them the shinnier they'll get, but remember engine heat and the atmosphere will also dull them down over time.
Good luck, anything else you need just PM me!

Marty

[Paul J.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Joe, as the others have said, either aluminum polish or very fine steel wool. Just for cruise-ins and general upkeep I always used the steel wool. For shows I took my time and polished them.

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Martin, That engine compartment sure looks great.

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

Martin, That engine compartment sure looks great.

ED-
I appreciate your comment! Thank-you, but she ain't done yet, realistically when are they?

Marty

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

ED-
I appreciate your comment! Thank-you, but she ain't done yet, realistically when are they?

Marty

There done when the pockets run on empty like all the NCRS restored cars, I guess. But when done theres the gradification when complete.

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 aluminum valve cover restoration

There done when the pockets run on empty like all the NCRS restored cars, I guess. But when done theres the gradification when complete.

AMEN Brother, AMEN!!!

Marty