Valve cover cleaning

Pfiffle · 04-03-2008, 11:29 AM

Anyone know a good way to get rid of that old rtv or gasket material off the valve covers? I've tried brillo, scraper, goo gone, wire wheel. This $hit is hard as diamonds. There is some places that I think it's molecularly bonded.LOL. New rtv won't bond to this stuff, right? I'm only going to use rtv on the valve cover, not the head for future ease of maintanence. Any good stripping or thinners? Thanks.
Tom

don71 · 04-03-2008, 03:12 PM

You could try easy off oven cleaner and aircraft stripper. They both come in spray cans.

I have this wheel you chuck up in a drill. Scothbrite pads are made for it that velcro or stick to it. Its awesome......and I think I got from the eastwood catalog.

Usually the wire wheel does the trick.

Pfiffle · 04-03-2008, 03:43 PM

OK thanks don71. I forgot about Eastwood. They have some good products. I've used thier rust converter and was satisfied with it.
Tom.

Redog · 04-03-2008, 04:00 PM

Yeah it's a real PIA.

I used a scraper, and then I used a air powered brush wheel, worked pretty good, but the sparks scared me

Oldsguy · 04-04-2008, 05:23 AM

Swipe one of your wife's cookie trays that would be big enough to hold one cover or go buy one or two. Use some heavy duty "cleaner" and cover the surface with it, douche it enough so it swims in it in the cookie tray and let it soak all day. Then see if it is soft enough to scrape off.

Pfiffle · 04-04-2008, 05:38 AM

Yeah, I tried that, Oldsguy. This $hit is Atomic. Thanks.
Tom

Olds64 · 04-04-2008, 06:11 AM

Use sand paper. That might work better than a wire wheel. That is what I had to use to clean up my valve covers.

Pfiffle · 04-04-2008, 06:13 AM

Sand paper, didn't think of that. Thanks
Tom.

04-03-2008, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pfiffle Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 106	Valve cover cleaning Anyone know a good way to get rid of that old rtv or gasket material off the valve covers? I've tried brillo, scraper, goo gone, wire wheel. This $hit is hard as diamonds. There is some places that I think it's molecularly bonded.LOL. New rtv won't bond to this stuff, right? I'm only going to use rtv on the valve cover, not the head for future ease of maintanence. Any good stripping or thinners? Thanks. Tom

04-03-2008, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
don71 feed the pig Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 170	You could try easy off oven cleaner and aircraft stripper. They both come in spray cans. I have this wheel you chuck up in a drill. Scothbrite pads are made for it that velcro or stick to it. Its awesome......and I think I got from the eastwood catalog. Usually the wire wheel does the trick. __________________ 1971 Cutlass S 455/th400 3.23 rear---new interior allmost done.

04-03-2008, 04:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Redog Alero Chapter Secretary Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 779	Yeah it's a real PIA. I used a scraper, and then I used a air powered brush wheel, worked pretty good, but the sparks scared me __________________ Me 2000 Alero running 14's 1985 Delta 88 w/1968 350 rocket 2005 Nissan Altima (her's)

04-04-2008, 05:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,990	Swipe one of your wife's cookie trays that would be big enough to hold one cover or go buy one or two. Use some heavy duty "cleaner" and cover the surface with it, douche it enough so it swims in it in the cookie tray and let it soak all day. Then see if it is soft enough to scrape off. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

04-04-2008, 06:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,651	Use sand paper. That might work better than a wire wheel. That is what I had to use to clean up my valve covers. __________________ "Some men are Baptists, others Catholics. My father was an OLDSMOBILE man." Ralphie Billingsley A Christmas Story 1983 "We rei-eign, supreme, ooooh god! Burrito supreme, and a chicken supreme, and a CUTLASS SUPREME!" Tenacious D 2007

04-03-2008, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pfiffle Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 106	OK thanks don71. I forgot about Eastwood. They have some good products. I've used thier rust converter and was satisfied with it. Tom.

04-04-2008, 05:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pfiffle Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 106	Yeah, I tried that, Oldsguy. This $hit is Atomic. Thanks. Tom

04-04-2008, 06:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pfiffle Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 106	Sand paper, didn't think of that. Thanks Tom.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Quite a bit of smoke from the valve cover	ct1979	Small Blocks	4	03-10-2008 01:10 PM
303 or 324 valve cover	66442ragtop	Parts Wanted	0	11-25-2007 10:55 AM
Replacing valve cover gaskets	dallas6778	Small Blocks	7	11-20-2007 10:04 AM
Valve cover gasket R/R	and1stp	Other	3	09-26-2006 04:43 PM
Need OLDSMOBILE ROCKET valve cover decals for 371	J'ville	Parts Wanted	5	08-28-2006 05:21 PM