deuce LT1 valve cover restoration
 

hi

need help please with the correct way to restore my deuce LT1 valve covers
fro cleaning / striping/ and what finish to put on them?

thank you
chris

The factory finish was a 'dull lustre', while the NOS ones from GM are much shinier - if that's a word. I've learned that if you glass bead them they will lose all lustre. Some guys have had them tumbled in various media with mixed results - likely walnut shells or plastic media is best. Finally, Jerry McNeish offers a 're-skinning' service that has been well received. The rest of us simply buy the best original condition ones we can find and rub them out by hand....

I blasted my thermostat housing with 100 grit sand and then tumbled it in ceramic media and it came out looking like new, or at least I think so.

Did mine by lightly blasting with low pressure glass beads then 0000 steel wool to put a light shine in the peaks of the fins to put a very light shine on the flat surfaces. Had to do it twice to get it where I wanted. The key is to not rough it too much in the blast cabinet. I used about 40 psi, just enough to pick up the media and stayed about 8 inches away from it. Just enough really to clean the surface and even out the surface.

I then followed up with the satin finish Ever-Brite to seal the pores and make them easy to keep clean.

Attachment 124904

I recently cleaned up the valve covers for my 71 LT1. I feel like they look right as far as the finish color etc.
I used organic PH neutral cleaner then used neverdull cotton wadding, however they were not too dirty when I started....

The FIRST PHOTO IS FINISHED

TWO SECOND PHOTOS ARE PRIOR TO CLEANING.

Blast them and the steel wool is the best thing I have found other than jerry

thx guys

really appreciate the help

regards
chris

I used some walnut media in my blast cabinet, followed with steel wool. I think I could have used glass bead at low pressure with similar results.

What grit walnut shell?

vapor hone..google it..the high end motor cycle guys use it on delicate parts..does amazing things on aluminum parts....has that luster everyone is looking for...

I've sent likely 10 sets to Jerry MacNeish over the years. Very nice product for not a lot of money.

Dan

Is 're-skinning' just tumbling with suitable media?

Yes, but he has got it down to the right method