Polishing / Cleaning Air Filter Housing & Cam Covers
 

Hi,

I just quit breaking my arm with steel wool & Flitz cleaning the tarnish off of the top of my air filter housing on my 1980 450SL. I still have to finish it and the bottom of the housing. I also have the cam covers to do. Is there a better way?
I also want to clean the rest of the motor without any shorting of electrical parts.
Can I get an experienced hand?

Thanks
Jack
1980 450 SL
1989 560 SEC

Do you want the original finish or polished so that you can see yourself? Is your air cleaner cover steel or aluminum (not sure of '80). If you want a real polish, a lot of dirty, hard work is involved. I polished mine - the air cleaner was fairly easy but the cam covers took a lot of sanding work and a buffing machine. The earlier covers are rougher castings than the latter ones, in what I've seen. The covers are delicate, and you should mount them on a board if you are going to sand them or polish them, because they can warp.
I have some pictures on my website.

As far as cleaning is concerned, no good can come from pressure washing. You would be asking for trouble of the worst (electrical) kind. Once you get rid of leaks (my valve cover gaskets were shot) and hand-clean, the remainder burns off and you wind up with a decent-looking engine.

This weekend, I lost my mind and polished out my power steering pump!

i just wipe off the grease and oil
 

now and then.

i feel lucky if it is running ok.

then i go find one of my grandkids and play!

tom w

I don't want it mirror polished. just as close to the factory look that I can get.
Jack

On the 73 450sl I did the valve covers, they came out beautiful. All I did was after removal sprayed with brake kleen. Then hand sanded with 220 grit, then steel wool 0000. Repainted with seatle silver, 4 coats, Then buffed out with 3000 grit rubbing compound. I think they look great.