Prepping Valve Covers for Paint

[Chief Brody]

Anybody have a preferred method for cleaning old valve covers to prep them for paint?

I can also get a set of new ones that are exactly like them for $30...

 

[76zimmer]

I don't think GM used any primer, so I would try stripping them, chemically or sandblasting, the of course the zinc treatment.

 

[Chief Brody]

I don't think GM used any primer, so I would try stripping them, chemically or sandblasting, the of course the zinc treatment.

Sand hides very well...these covers have baffles in them...I'd feel more comfortable stripping them...what to use?

Which brings me back to...if aircraft stripper is $30/gallon, why not just get new covers?

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Sand hides very well...these covers have baffles in them...I'd feel more comfortable stripping them...what to use?

Which brings me back to...if aircraft stripper is $30/gallon, why not just get new covers?

Because you only need the little 5dollar can, and it's fun to watch the paint melt off

 

[Chief Brody]

Because you only need the little 5dollar can, and it's fun to watch the paint melt off

How much do I need to do the whole engine?

You brush this stuff on?

Is it also a degreaser?

 

[NorCal_Chris]

I used a small can and did a 4cyl motor with valve cover and had a little left. Wore impervious gloves a mask and goggles and went at it with a hard brush and it took off greasegrit paint etc. I let it sit a while scrubbed some more then sprayed it off

 

[76zimmer]

the good stuff will have methylene chloride in it....strong stuff, use outdoors, or with respirator, and DON'T get it on your skin....it should remove grease/oil if scraped off mostly first. A quart would be plenty to do an engine. I've used paint thinner to clean it up after the stripping part is finished.

 

[Deuling]

Where do you get this stuff??

 

[ryoken]

any decent autobody supply place will have aircraft stripper.. used a gal last week myself.. picking another up this week..