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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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