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  #1  
Old 05-09-2011, 08:37 PM
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How to clean valve cover

I have my valve cover off and would like to get it looking good before I put it back on any tricks or products to use to getting it looking spiffy before re-install, got some oil staining... (om 616)

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  #2  
Old 05-09-2011, 09:24 PM
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Bar Keeper's Friend works like a champ.
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Old 05-09-2011, 09:43 PM
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oof.
it's really hard to remove oil stains from porous metals like aluminum.
grease removers, and absorbers help. polishers do a great job, but then you have a polished valve cover...
I use engine cleaners, and baking soda. does a fairly decent job.
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  #4  
Old 05-09-2011, 09:49 PM
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I use simple green to clean mine.
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  #5  
Old 05-09-2011, 09:52 PM
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"Foamy Engine Brite". Set the dishwasher on "Pots/Pans".

Clean it up before the wife gets home.
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  #6  
Old 05-09-2011, 10:25 PM
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Cool

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1980sd View Post
"Foamy Engine Brite". Set the dishwasher on "Pots/Pans".

Clean it up before the wife gets home.
Lol I don't think I would live long if I went that route
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  #7  
Old 05-10-2011, 03:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1980sd View Post
"Foamy Engine Brite". Set the dishwasher on "Pots/Pans".

Clean it up before the wife gets home.
That is something I'm seriously intending to arrange when we get a new dishwasher - I'm going to set up the old one in the garage and use it for parts cleaning.
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  #8  
Old 05-10-2011, 11:42 AM
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If the valve cover is too rough, you will have to polish it and this will create a shine that you might, or might not like.

Mine is shown below with 230k miles already but the valve cover has never been polished. Just a quick wipe down with gentle detail solutions (paint cleaner, Simple Green, carnauba wax). I like it this way since it's not too shiny but a raw cleanliness to it.

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  #9  
Old 05-10-2011, 11:47 AM
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Metal polish digs deeper to release some of the older stains,I use engine degreaser ,steel wool ,then finish it with the metal polish.The polish you want to keep from getting into the cover ,easy to understand why.
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  #10  
Old 05-10-2011, 12:57 PM
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Will those cleaning procedures remove corrosion from salt too?

-J
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  #11  
Old 05-10-2011, 03:08 PM
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Doesn't simple green corrode the aluminum?
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Old 05-10-2011, 03:17 PM
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Yes

Simple Green has a Deleterious effect on Aluminum and It's Alloys.

Example: Simple Green leaves Aluminum looking like it's been exposed to
Salt Air for 15 years.
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  #13  
Old 05-10-2011, 03:20 PM
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Use diesel to clean it the sticker adhesive on the passenger side--scrape off with an old plastic debit card or some other sharp plastic edge.
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  #14  
Old 05-10-2011, 03:24 PM
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I use engine brite. It makes your car smell for daysssss afterwards though...
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  #15  
Old 05-10-2011, 04:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike-81-240d View Post
Doesn't simple green corrode the aluminum?
Depends on which variety of Simple Green is being used. (Maybe it isn't as Simple as it sounds.)

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