Best way to clean valve covers?

[Swoboda]

I'm finishing up a valve adjustment and my covers need some attention. They very dirty.

Any suggestions for cleaning them (other than just elbow grease)?

Thanks.

[Tippy]

Parts washer with naphtha or soda blast

[proporsche]

Hi Boys
the best way to clean any parts including valve covers, is this machine...it is called tumbling..
Mr DeBurr.
https://www.candmtopline.com/
here is how it will come out


my friend in LA has one if you like you can contact him if he can do it for you...

Ivan

[hcoles]

Warm soap (or citrus cleaner) and water and put'em back on. This requires just a bit elbow grease. Nobody sees them but you, put energy somewhere else. My 2 cents.

[Nick Triesch]

409 and a rag??

[shadowjack1]

I sand blasted mine. Just the outside Never the sealing surface.

[AHudson]

I used Simple Green to clean, then wire brush to get between 'Porsche' lettering. Then Scotchbrite in one direction on body, also cleans up any scratches from wire brush area.

Lastly wrapped 1500 grit around a wood board to polish only the letters. Cleared it and put it back on. No problems keeping it clean 2 years later.

[Cevan]

Originally Posted by shadowjack1

I sand blasted mine. Just the outside Never the sealing surface.

This seems drastic. Sand blasting removes some of the aluminum. Isn't the area where the washers go a sealing surface?

I used a citrus degreaser and a good brush.

[Flojo]

Oven cleaner. Let it soake for not too long, brush off with old toothbrush. Ready.

No sand, no wire brush, no scotch brite.... all of this will ruin the surface.

[Trackrash]

After I cleaned mine, they were still very dull from oxidation.

I used 0000 steel wool with Turtle wax, then sprayed them with Gibbs. Look like new and are staying that way. The 0000 steel wool doesn't leave scratches.

You can see before and after here.

[1979-930]

Degrease with simple green or whatever you choose. Then finish with Napa raw aluminum brightener.
I just cleaned mine with a valve adjustment. I'll take a pic later.

[john walker's workshop]

Glass bead after degreasing and clear coat with VHT high temp clear engine spray paint.
.

[ace123]

Simple green is a degreaser right? So do that and then you're done? Is the rest just to make it look nicer?

How clean do you really need it?

[911 SLANT]

I sand blasted mine

[hcoles]

^^^^ I hate to say it but sand blasting is considered to be a big no no for engine parts that contact oil. Small pieces of grit get stuck and then come off. If you have cleaned the inside very well you should be OK - if not I would pull them and do a super cleaning especially on the inside.

[911 SLANT]

I cleaned them before install. Thanks

[1979-930]

Degreaser and Napa Aluminum Brightener.
Just don't leave the brighter on longer than the 15 seconds it recommends. It will oxide if left on too long.

Works great on everything.




WARNING. Only use on disassembled parts. It will take the yellow zinc off instantly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KTL]

Ultrasonic cleaner works great to get crud out of the textured surface inside the exhaust valve covers.

While you have them off, not a bad idea to true up the gasket surfaces. Run them across a sheet of 400 grit wet sand paper on something flat like a pane of glass. You'll be surprised how NOT flat the gasket surfaces are.

[Nick Triesch]

Holy smokes folks! These parts are underneath the car! The only time you look at them is a valve adjust or a clutch adjust. Maybe we should powder coat the oil tank!

[T77911S]

I would hate to see your engine much more work on it.

I just spray with engine cleaner then pressure wash, or pressure wash before removing. don't like to work on dirty engines, also removes and dirt so it wont get in the engine.

as far as the engine side, I use the small abrasive pads that go on an air grinder. I got them all from harbor freight. I think the grinder was about $15.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-angle-die-grinder-32046.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/complete-sanding-disc-kit-43029.html