cleaning valve cover surfaces

[NikosF]

How clean do I need to get the valve cover mating surfaces. The covers themselves are easy - but I'm curious about the camshaft carrier side. I'm nervous about bits of old gasket or scotch pad ending up bouncing around the valves.

Is it just a matter of making sure all the old gasket is off with my fingers / using a razor blade to scrape surface clean / scotch pad to actually clean back to bright aluminium?

Thanks and sorry for peppering the board with all these newbie questions.

[gtc]

Yes, just get it pretty clean and flat with a scraper or razor blade.

[Drymartiniwi]

If some bits get in shop vac usually get it.


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[Evan K.]

I used an automotive ScotchBrite pad by hand for any residual gasket material then used a sheet of 220 grit sand paper laid flat on a piece of glass to make sure the valve covers were flat before I reinstalled them. I removed any sanding dust with simple green and water.

[911T1969]

Pematex make a gasket remover. Its in a small can with the epoxy and silicone glues at any of the automotive stores. Squirt it on and let it foam. It will disolve any gasket material remaining. I use a reusable red silicone valve cover gasket.