I am building an 1974 Olds 350 I would first like to apologize that this is the only picture I have right now.
Anyway, I am in love with my stock valve covers simply because they actually say Oldsmobile, but there is rust on lettering and on the sides, nothing structural but not paintable, my oil pan has pitted areas and either has a strange color on it or smooth rust, can I sand blast the three of them or will it harm the metal? Please help me out guys! I have chrome ones but they just aren't the same! If better pictures are needed just let me know.

 

Paint stripper, Brillo pads and water, light sanding and paint.

 

You can media blast them and they will come out beautiful (a lot less effort than sanding them). Sandblasting may be a little aggressive for the thinner metal.

 

I was thinking about the sand blasting, I had just finished my subframe with a backpack blaster (I do not suggest) and thought I would keep going but research said it was iffy. I am aware of many different blasting methods, but what method is Media Blasting?

 

It is actually very similar to sand blasting. Media blasting uses a cabinet to keep the blasting 'media' from going everywhere (like the sand does ). There are many different types of media to blast with, glass beads, aluminum oxide, walnut shells, etc. I use glass beads for all of my blasting. Harbor Freight has about the best prices on blasting media.

 

I'd have no problem blasting the pan, but I'd be nervous about blasting the valve covers.
You'll never get the grit out of the baffles, and I'd be worried it'd get into the rest of the engine.

- Eric

 

I think I might just see about blasting other than sand blasting, I really love the idea of soda blasting, water soluble and all, but what is the best and cheapest way, and any tips on how to do each? I have heard that glass bead blasting is dangerous because you can't get the beads out. I am just looking to gain the knowledge about all of them for future uses and can anyone give me some stuff on soda blasting, can it do this, is it expensive? I just like the safety of no particles.

 

Soda blasting is great if cleaned right. Works better then sand for the most part it doesn't pit or warp the metal like sand can. If it isn't cleaned right the paint won't stick properly this happened to my uncles 46 ford coup a big chunk of the roof just peeled right off. Harbor freight sells the soda blaster for Like 150 I think. I haven't used it so I don't know on quality. I did have a friend that had a car with nine coats of paint on it and had it soda blasted he said it was the best.

 

So what would you think for cleaning? acetone possibly? Or would it be a different chemical, or simply water with compressed air and good cleaning? What also would I prep the metal with after any high heat blasting Any primer after doing any blasting? Also, if I can't soda blast, what is second best?

 

To clean after soda is vinegar water not sure on the mixture. On any bare metal I would used a good acid etch primer primer sealer and paint on your small parts primer sealer might be over board but that's just how I would do it

 

I'm sure I can find a decent mixture, and primer. Now when I am using the high heat paint, most say I need to heat the parts, can I wait until I assemble and put in the motor? Or do I have to put them in an oven or something?