Valve cover cleaning

Pfiffle · April 3rd, 2008, 12:29 PM

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 · April 3rd, 2008, 04:12 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 · April 3rd, 2008, 04:43 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 · April 3rd, 2008, 05:00 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 · April 4th, 2008, 06:23 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 · April 4th, 2008, 06:38 AM

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

Olds64 · April 4th, 2008, 07:11 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 · April 4th, 2008, 07:13 AM

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

April 3rd, 2008, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pfiffle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 123	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

April 3rd, 2008, 04:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
don71 feed the pig Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 226	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 Holiday coupe-455/th400 3.23 Oldsmobile they were meant to be driven.

April 3rd, 2008, 05:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Redog Alero Chapter Secretary Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 1,145	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 2005 Nissan Altima (her's) 1967 Olds 330 motor sitting on a stand 1985 Delta 88 w/1968 350 rocket ( MURDERED )

April 4th, 2008, 06:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	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 '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

April 4th, 2008, 07:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	Use sand paper. That might work better than a wire wheel. That is what I had to use to clean up my valve covers. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

April 3rd, 2008, 04:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pfiffle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 123	OK thanks don71. I forgot about Eastwood. They have some good products. I've used thier rust converter and was satisfied with it. Tom.

April 4th, 2008, 06:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pfiffle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 123	Yeah, I tried that, Oldsguy. This $hit is Atomic. Thanks. Tom

April 4th, 2008, 07:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pfiffle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 123	Sand paper, didn't think of that. Thanks Tom.

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