General Discussion Discuss your Oldsmobile or other car-related topics.

having fun polishing aluminum valve covers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old August 7th, 2009, 05:54 PM
  #1  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
agtw31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 1,132
having fun polishing aluminum valve covers

i bought these covers from Eric.

they were already in good shape,but needed sanded down to get stains and pits out.

here they are in stages

how they looked when i got them



after a good dose of 100 grit

Picture007-1.jpg


then some 220 grit

Picture008-1.jpg

then some 320

Picture007-1.jpg

wet sanded with 400 then 600 grit twice
Picture012.jpg

then the polishing

Picture013.jpg
Picture014-1.jpg

Picture016-1.jpg

and ive got more lined up
Picture011-1.jpg
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Picture007-1.jpg (82.4 KB, 0 views)
agtw31 is offline  
Old August 7th, 2009, 06:49 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
jensenracing77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,503
very nice. i have a set of M/T that i may get rid of but was told that i may need them for the 455 i am going to build. i will use roller rockers and don't think they will fit under the stockers.
jensenracing77 is offline  
Old August 7th, 2009, 07:00 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
MN71W30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Somerset Wisconsin
Posts: 1,167
Holy smokes

Holy smokes, They look new. What did you use for the polishing? I just picked up a pair of old school Edelbrock 396 427 valve covers. They are rounded at the corners. I used a polishing wheel and they shined up nicely but yours look better.
MN71W30 is offline  
Old August 7th, 2009, 07:04 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Cameo White's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 644
Smile

Hey Jensen,
I've got roller rockers in my H/O, and they fit under the stock chrome valve covers. I don't know what brand they are--the engine was built before I got it.
Cameo White is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 04:14 AM
  #5  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
agtw31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 1,132
better check and see if you have a spacer under those M/T's,i dont think M/T's are much taller than stock.
agtw31 is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 04:25 AM
  #6  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
agtw31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 1,132
Originally Posted by MN71W30
Holy smokes, They look new. What did you use for the polishing? I just picked up a pair of old school Edelbrock 396 427 valve covers. They are rounded at the corners. I used a polishing wheel and they shined up nicely but yours look better.
i have a set of BBC M/T's that have never had breather holes drilled in them,they are pitted terribly,ill be using 60 grit on them.

it's not the polishing,it's breaking the aluminum down to get all the crap out that makes them pop.

eric already has these Holleys blasted,but that's the first thing i do.

after 4 hours of sanding starting with 100 grit and wet sanding with 600,i used brown tripoli first,then the white compound,then the blue polishing compound.

you can get the polishing compounds at Sears,they come in sticks.

i polish with a hand drill,and use a polishing wheel for each individual color polish,dont mix them up.

i also use a dremel for the bolt hole grooves,but like to leave them a little rougher for the patina.

im stepping up to 1200 grit for the final stage on the next set i do.
agtw31 is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 04:32 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
citcapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Rathdrum, Idano
Posts: 9,127
Nice finish worki. What do you think you will be selling these for? I have a set of black Holly on my 455 in the 57 and will want the polished Hollys for the 455 in my 48 Olds. I like the Holly style a lot.
citcapp is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 06:21 PM
  #8  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
agtw31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 1,132
citcapp,pm sent

70Cutlass030.jpg

70Cutlass029.jpg
agtw31 is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 06:42 PM
  #9  
Past Administrator
 
Oldsguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,010
Very nice, good work man...
Oldsguy is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 08:18 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
Rdrokit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Korat, Thailand
Posts: 360
I know that was alot of work as I have done the same. What I did after I got finished was to have the valve covers clear powder coated. Never had to polish them again.
Rdrokit is offline  
Old August 8th, 2009, 09:35 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Eightupman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leasburg, NC
Posts: 1,190
Originally Posted by agtw31
citcapp,pm sent



You know I was bitching under my breath about the inflated pricing after seeing what you bought some of them for... until i read this thread. I though you were merely flipping them. HOWEVER.. Polishing aluminum to look that good is worth every penny you are asking for some of these.

Damn Andy... never thought I'd say something nice about ya.

Good work.

John
Eightupman is offline  
Old August 9th, 2009, 08:12 AM
  #12  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
agtw31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: columbus ohio
Posts: 1,132
Originally Posted by Eightupman
.

Damn Andy... never thought I'd say something nice about ya.

Good work.

John
lmao thanks,john


i redid these for a gentleman in North Carolina

if you notice,they arent totally polished

people are wanting the worn look,they call it patina(wtf)

why people paint aluminum valve covers black i have no idea

BWdvudB2kKGrHgoH-DwEjlLl3zyBKj0y-1.jpg
Picture-2.jpg[/quote]

Last edited by agtw31; August 9th, 2009 at 08:15 AM.
agtw31 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bighazard510
General Discussion
18
September 11th, 2011 12:42 PM
Homestar
The Clubhouse
3
July 2nd, 2011 03:28 AM
66 Olznut
General Discussion
10
June 5th, 2011 07:47 PM
agtw31
Parts For Sale
6
August 12th, 2009 05:53 AM



Quick Reply: having fun polishing aluminum valve covers



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:03 PM.