I did a search to find a good way to clean my valves while I do a rebuild. The one question I didn't find an answer for was the following. OEM valves have a black coating on them. What happens if while cleaning you remove the coating? What is it for? To prevent or at least help prevent carbon build up? The black coating is only on the head of the valve not the stem. I have seen it on a D16 head when I had it apart and it is also on the valves of my B16 head I am rebuilding now. Thanks in advance!!

 

i use a brass wire brush

 

I found many ways of cleaning them. I am more interested in wether or not there will be a problem if I remove the black coating? Also what the coating is for? Bump for more info.

 

wire wheel on the stem and carb cleaner/throttle body cleaner on the face

 

Bump. I am interested in what the black coating is for and would it be bad if it was removed?

 

i believe the black coating is an anti-friction coating.

 

So it would be best not to scratch it or remove it?

 

just dip it in a little glass of gasoline to get the **** off and put it back.