Corvette Restoration Tip: Aluminum Valve Covers
This Corvette Restoration Tip is brought to you by Zip Corvette and can be found in Zip’s free Corvette Parts & Accessories Catalogs – Request one online today.
One of the easiest ways to improve the looks under your hood is to replace your Corvette’s valve covers. However, if buying valve covers is not in your budget, or you just want to keep your original valve covers on your Corvette’s engine, you can restore your old ones to look like new:
With the valve covers removed from the engine, rinse them with water and spray with a de-greasing solution such as Simple Green. Let the solution set for about 5 minutes and then scrub the valve covers with a firm-bristled brush to remove all traces of oil and grime. Thoroughly rinse and allow to dry completely before continuing. Once dry, lightly mist Aluma-Blast spray paint onto the valve covers with
Aluminum Valve Covers
one or two passes. After applying the light coating, pour half a pint of lacquer thinner into a steel or glass container and spray the thinner with the aluminum paint. With a small brush (1/2” recommended) in hand, wet the brush in the thinner/paint solution and brush the covers. Work the surface until the desired look is reached. The thinner will evaporate and the paint will be left in the pores of the aluminum, making your valve covers look new again. If the covers look as if they have been painted, then too much paint was applied and you will need to brush-on more lacquer thinner. If oily stains can be seen, reapply a heavier coating of aluminum paint and continue with the application steps.
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