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  #1  
Old 01-18-2006, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 97
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

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  #2  
Old 01-18-2006, 09:30 PM
Strife's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: KY USA
Posts: 2,238
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!
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2006, 10:22 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,604
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
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #4  
Old 01-19-2006, 12:25 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 97
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strife
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 don't want it mirror polished. just as close to the factory look that I can get.
Jack
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  #5  
Old 01-19-2006, 12:59 PM
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JBR JBR is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 122
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.

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