Is it okay to sandblast the valve cover to remove the powdercoat? Paint stripper isn't working so well.

 

I have heard people say not to media blast them because some of the shot or sand can be left over inside the valve cover and fall out into the engine and cause damage.

 

What kind of paint stripper are you using, and how long did you let it sit?


Aircraft paint stripper works the best.

 

I have had no problem using Tal-Strip on valve covers. I typically get the stuff that's brushed on, because it's less diluted.

 

Have you tried breaking the surface up a bit with some sand paper?

 

try soda blasting it

 

I got the top all done by sanding it by hand. But I need to get all the hard spots. I just had some multi-purpose stripper for metal, wood, and stuff like that. Where do you find the aircraft stripper? And what is soda blasting??

 

Autozone for about 10 bucks

 

Okay, cool. Will do. And where do you get all the polishing brush attachments to your airtool? Or how would you prefer starting the polishing stages? Use mothers?

 

well you want to get all the imperfects out of the valve cover so sand with 200, 400, 800, 1000,1500, and finish with a 2000 grit paper. Then get some never dull polish and rub that on for a little then apply some mother aluminum polish and your done

 

Sounds good, thanks everyone! I'll probably finish the project this spring break.

 

Stripping the paint shouldn't be to hard with aircraft grade stripper, that's what everyone uses on their wheels and they don't seem to have much trouble getting the paint off. If you need to sandblast it though you could just have it hot dipped after to get it nice and clean.

 

Alright man, I'll see what it takes. great ideas, thanks!