HackAbuse

Went up to the junkyard today and tore the Valve cover of a 2.2 Cavalier, for 10 bucks, that had been there for quite a long time (2+ years with the hood open). It was quite a mess of corrosion and grime, but i was able to get it all off with some citrus cleaner and a good scrub with a brush after about 30 minutes it was set to go. I started with 400 grit and sanded it for a good hour and a half to get rid of the bigger imperfections, then I upgraded to 800 grit and got about another 45mins in before it got too dark to continue.

This is the result after 2.5 hours of sanding (hand sanding and electric sander)









I've bought sandpaper all the way up to 2000 grit, so hopefully I can get a nice mirror finish out of it after about 8-10 more hours of work! Yes, i know the lower area inear the spark plugs is filthy, but after the coil pack is reinstalled, it wont be visible anyway.

My arm hurts already

Will update after every sanding session until its finished

This is not for the impatient or people with ADD


Before:


After:






I didnt end up doing a mirror finish, but it looks a HELL of alot better than my old valve cover did, and it only took 4 hours of work and 20 bucks.
I also jacked the oil cap off the cavy cause it looks alot better than my stock one.

joeworkstoohard

i'd whip out a polishing wheel on a die grinder if you've got one... it'll REALLY speed this up.

edit: and high temp clear coat it when you're done.

vic_romano

good luck hack...can't wait to see it.

HackAbuse

I'm definitely going to clear coat once i'm done, i'll look for some polishing wheels tomorrow at the store.

joeworkstoohard

i've also seen people load soft things like baking soda into a sand blaster to get the grime out.

BlilBT

After sanding to 1500 Grit >>> You Need a set of small wheels from eastwood. A swen Cloth & loose cloth wheel. With some Tipoli & white Rouge!>> Sears has it some times >> But eastwood.com is easiest & They have every thing! <<<<<<< But this is needed if you want a Shine Like this!



Good Luck! OH when You Think That Your done Sanding>>>Sands some More! (LOL)<<<True!

HackAbuse

What grit did you use to get your finish Bill?

What exact things should I buy from eastwood (part numbers)?

Whhat does everyone think of the mohters powerball, will it help me at all?

2006BlackSS/SC

i dont think the powerball will i stoped my polishing untill i can get another valvecover

joeworkstoohard

i think that is for "polishing" as far as cleaning something like wheels

JCswoosher2

how much does another valve cover from GM cost for the 2.0?

cobalt06ss_sc

mothers power ball is for buffing not polishing...it's for something differant than you are trying to accomplish

HackAbuse

~125 dollars

HackAbuse

my current plan is to put in two hours on each grit, and when i get to 2000, and i dont like the finish i'll start over at 800 and work it up again

BlilBT

Use These to Buff it after you sand up to 1500 grit! And you need some Tipoli to go on them they have it>> Just look under buffing & compounds! Buy a Mandrell that fits them! so you can attach to a Drill 1800 to 2200 Hundred RPM!

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...Cat=434&page=3


After that you need Loose Cloth wheels At this Link! Bottom right of page has some Loose Cloth wheels find the 1s that suit you best & your Drill or what ever your going to use the 4inch wheel works good on the Flat areas But you need some small 1s to get on the edges! You also need some White Rouge for this step! <<<< Now you have a Mirror Like above! Dont Forget to get the Half inch mandrell for the wheels!

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...mType=CATEGORY

LSJ PUP

Question: Does it matter that the stem coming off the valve cover is on the same side as the oil cap? How hard is it going to be to run the hose to that?

Asphalt Assault

I bought a Aluminum polishing kit for 20.00 cdn. It comes with three polishing girts and like nine different wheels and tips to get in every area. I saw a guy with a mustang and his intake was done and clear coated. I asked where did he go to get that done and he said "I did myself" I went bought the kit the next day. winter project man when I park my 13sec. 40MPG car LOL I just love this thing. best for your money.

JCswoosher2

ok so the grits of sand paper we need is....... 1500 grit? is that it? im fixing to go buy the sand paper

HackAbuse

get every grit you can find between 400 and 2000

BlilBT

You Need 240>>400>>>600>>>800>>1000>>1500 Then Buffing >> Then sand some More to take out what you missed & Repeat Till all scratches Are Gone after Polishing with Loose Cloth Wheel & white Rouge!

Do Not Use Polish In a Can at this Point it will Only dull the Finish!

Asphalt Assault

man you guys work hard for a **** job. get the tools for the job. and a tip for you when you get the kit. once you use the grit for 1 wheel , do not use that same polishing wheel with the next step up in grit. your polishing job will not come out as good then or as easy. you would have to buy a second kit. I might get a second kit anyway to get more wheels and tips. Tell me if you are interested in seeing pictures of this kit I will take a picture of the kit so you can see whats in it if you wish.

hubes

where did you get this kit?

HackAbuse

I didnt buy a kit, i just bought 400, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper

sheek360

i know its off topic. can u post pics of your 2.2? u have the nicest looking 2.2 IMO

HackAbuse

who? me?

HackAbuse

I got my valve cover looking nice n shiny today (not mirror reflection) and installed it, it looks 50x better than the old one! I will get before and after pics tomorrow