Polishing My Valve Covers - Step 1

[silvermagR/T]

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The first two pics are what I started with. The last one is after I used a attatchment on my drill. The next step will be steel wool and metal polish and then wet sanding with 2000 grit and the final step would be polishing with metal polish by hand. Man I really need a polisher. Anyone got one for sale lol

[472 R/T SE]

This is right up my alley. I like doing stuff like this. I'll have to watch this thread.

[silvermagR/T]

I too enjoy putting in hard work and seeing the results at the end. I'm sure there is a easier way to do this but I don't have the money for the equipment needed so good ol fashion elbow grease it is.

[nicholas.hodges]

nice, hard work will pay off!

[meanmagnum]

Looks great!!! I wish I had the know how and the guts to do this. Instead I will get some half covers for my hemi.
Looking forward to your end result.

[silvermagR/T]

Well now I feel like I let you guys down lol. I just ordered a bench polisher to finish the job with. Does anyone know what bars for polishing I am going to want to use? Any help would be apreciated. I know it seems like I took the easy way out but let me tell you, it will still be a chore getting these the way that I want them. I also just ordered my set of shorty wires so I am wanting to swap the valve covers and the wires at the same time. Next step would be some metal to clean up the engine bay and its off to the local car show.

[Rusty Shakelford]

start with a spiral sewn wheel and some tripoli compound, that will take the deeper scratches out. 2nd switch to a half sewn wheel and some white rouge, that will get a shine going and you could stop there if you wanted, but if you want a bright deep shine go to a felt wheel and some jewelers rouge and prepare to get messy lol its soft and flys everywhere but will make it mirror finished if your prep work was done well enough.

[Rusty Shakelford]

the spiral sewn, then the cushion sewn, and then the felt wheels on this link are what i use.
Dico Products Corporation :: NYALOX, PROFLEX, FLEXSHAFT, BUFFING, POLISHING, FINISHING, METAL, SANDING, SANDPAPER, GRINDER, COMPOUNDS, DO-IT YOURSELF.

and then use tripoli with the spiral, white rouge with the cushion, and then jewelers rouge with the felt wheel. i use the small tubes for my jobs.
Dico: Compound Tubes, Jumbo Compound Tubes, Compund, Compounds, NYALOX, PROFLEX, FLEXSHAFT, BUFFING, POLISHING, FINISHING, METAL, SANDING, SANDPAPER, GRINDER, COMPOUNDS, DO-IT YOURSELF.

[silvermagR/T]

Thanks for the info man I really appreciate it. Thats exactly what I needed this will definetly get me headed to the right direction with my project.

[Rusty Shakelford]

Thanks for the info man I really appreciate it. Thats exactly what I needed this will definetly get me headed to the right direction with my project.

no problem and i buy mine at my local ace hardware so if you didnt already have a place to purchase locally then thats an option.

[silvermagR/T]

Sweet. I would much rather be able to go to the store and pick it up instead of waiting for it to come in the mail. You have been a real big help. Thankis so much.

[Snuffy]

If you wear glasses be careful!!! It will scratch them up good!

Better to wear the safety glasses when polishing.

[Rusty Shakelford]

If you wear glasses be careful!!! It will scratch them up good!

Better to wear the safety glasses when polishing.

Snuffy's right SilvermagR/T, when you use the wheels on a bench grinder stuff flies everywhere and it can be dangerous. if you have it, where a full face shield and crappy clothes

[silvermagR/T]

Will do. I have been using bench grinders and cut off wheels my whole life so I figured the same way the sparks fly everywhere, that the product I was using would do the same. Thanks for the advice guys. Again any and all knowledge and tips is appreciated.

[Rusty Shakelford]

you're welcome