Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

[Jorn J.]

Hi
What's the best method to protect the newly blasted alu Valve Covers.
Oil them or?

Regards Jorn

[John H.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

Hi
What's the best method to protect the newly blasted alu Valve Covers.
Oil them or?

Regards Jorn

Jorn -

Jerry MacNeish recommends spray brake cleaner on a rag or paper towel to keep his "re-skinned" valve covers and intake manifolds clean; that's what I use on mine.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

Jorn,
I have a set of glass beaded aluminum valve covers on my 62 which I sprayed with clearcoat after blasting.
After 11 years of driving they still look good and can be cleaned with a damp rag.
They are not good for judging but great for driving.
Bruce B

[Jorn J.]

[David A.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

this is one of the things i need to do on my '56
the covers are dirty and very dull
what is the best product to make them shine again!
iowa

[Robert K.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

There was alot of controversy years ago about whether they should be glass beaded or not. Was that resolved?

[Jorn J.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

Hi David
I have glassblasted mine and then oiled them with cooking oil and not that spray I mentioned earlier and the result are exceptional and it will say not shiny but lightgray and new looking

Regards Jorn

[Paul J.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

There was alot of controversy years ago about whether they should be glass beaded or not. Was that resolved?

The discussions over the past couple of years show that glass beading is not recommended.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...minum&uid=7923

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...minum&uid=2987

[Gene M.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

Hi David
I have glassblasted mine and then oiled them with cooking oil and not that spray I mentioned earlier and the result are exceptional and it will say not shiny but lightgray and new looking

Regards Jorn

Guys,
An old trick I found that works on "fine" power bead blasted valve covers is to set them out side in the acid rain and then they almost look virgin again.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

You might try ALODINE, which is used on aircraft skin and cylinders.

It is a acid that is UNDETECTABLE that is not to be confused with anodize.

It is a controlled corrosion that protects the aluminum from NORMAL corrosion ( not batt acid).

It comes in clear and ambes and washes off after a 5 min treatment with water.

It comes in clear abd amber. The amber is used on large or hard to cover aluminum and will show any missed spots.

It can be applied out of a windex bottle or brushed on and you don't know it was ever there except that fingerprints (salt) and other minor corrosives won't hurt the cleanes finish.

I get it from Aircraft Spruce, but any aircraft shop that does skin work or cylinder work would part with enough to do a small job.

A gallon does a small aircraft with a bunch left over. I use a solvent sprayer on large or hard to reach parts.

It is ground shipped only. When your done you will think you did nothing but wet your aluminum when you use the clear alodine.

DOM

[Richard C.]

Re: Glassblasted alu Valve Covers

for non-original cars only, i opted to powder coat mine, a very light gray (flat) color with a textured (crackle finish), seems to go over real well at car shows and looks nice forever, lol, (so far anyway)...