Okay to bead blast valve cover sealing surface?

[bbh03]

It's so dirty and wont come clean with scrubbing, etc. Okay to bead blast that sealing surface?

Thanks,

[Eagledriver]

I'd use a wet sheet of sandpaper (about 400 grit) on a flat surface. I wouldn't bead blast that surface but if you did you should do the wet sand after to take the pits out.

-Andy

[bbh03]

I hear you, although it is already a pitted surface before I do anything!

[ChrisBennet]

Clean clean clean afterwards...

I use sandpaper on a piece of granite but I wouldn't use the bead blaster on the side that comes in contact with oil. I just have visions of some glass beads getting stuck in a oily nook. Maybe I worry for nothing.
-Chris

[bbh03]

Chris, I thought the same as you, however when I blasted the show side, I realized that the entire oil side is contaminated with bead just from being in the blast cabinet. So I went ahead and blasted the crap off that side too. The part gets thorough washing either way, so I figured why not?

I have to get myself some 400 grit sandpaper. What else is flat enough to polish the cover surafces on? I don't have any granite (that my wife will let me use).

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by bbh03
Chris, I thought the same as you, however when I blasted the show side, I realized that the entire oil side is contaminated with bead just from being in the blast cabinet. So I went ahead and blasted the crap off that side too. The part gets thorough washing either way, so I figured why not?

I have to get myself some 400 grit sandpaper. What else is flat enough to polish the cover surafces on? I don't have any granite (that my wife will let me use).

Get a piece of (free) granite from someplace that makes granite counter tops. They just throw away the "cutout" for the sink.
That's how I got mine.

Shawn* (Shawn 84 Targa) gave me the sandpaper. The sandpaper is big (12x18") with a peel and stick backside, possibly for using on a floor sander. I don't know where he got it.

-Chris

* The same Shawn who was attacked by Pelicans a while back in Off Topic. I must say, a lot of you demonstrated that you could learn a thing or two about generosity of spirit from Shawn.

[bbh03]

Good idea Chris. I'll look into that, thanks!

[rpmgroup]

i have /use a 15"x15'x 1 1/2" plate of steel from the scrap yard. lightly dressed the surface with a good file. I use some machine oil on the surface to hold the emery sheet on and some more oil on the sheet as I draw the parts across the paper. Lazy 8s

[89turbocabmike]

Originally posted by bbh03
What else is flat enough to polish the cover surafces on? I don't have any granite (that my wife will let me use).

Brian, I use a piece of plate glass with great results, probably easier and cheaper to find.

[bbh03]

Thanks! I'll be calling around for glass/granite scraps today.

[bbh03]

Even easier - picked up a polished marble sample at Lowes when I was getting emery paper.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by bbh03
Even easier - picked up a polished marble sample at Lowes when I was getting emery paper.

When I was looking the first place I looked was at Home Depot. They didn't have anything smooth and big as I wanted and what they had was expensive. I have a piece of glass but it is pretty thin and flexy.
-Chris

[bbh03]

I found 12" x 12" and 18" x 18" marble that seems as smooth as glass. I don't think I could so better than that without getting some sort of expensive piece of machined metal like my local shop has.

[ficke]

Glass beed cleaning aluminum surfaces that come in contact with the oil system, like the inside of the case or inside of valve covers is a really bad idea, the glass embeds in the soft aluminum and will not come out with washing but will come out when the aluminum swells from heat and will be released in the oil when you run it.