1st Generation Dodge Cummins 89-93 Discussion of 12 Valve 5.9 Liter Dodge Cummins Diesels with Rotary Injection Pumps

polished 12v valve covers

Old Oct 10, 2009 | 06:15 PM
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Default polished 12v valve covers

ive seen some guys around with polished valve covers. can you polish them yourself? if so is it jsut normal polish and a rag or is it not the right type of aluminum to be polished? or do you have to buy them?
 
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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I think most do it by hand.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 11:36 PM
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i may have to throw it in my beadblaster and try polishing it out i think it looks pretty good
 
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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here is a good writeup.....

https://www.dieselbombers.com/diesel...-tutorial.html
 
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Benjamin
thats a great write up. what all can you polish on those? looks like valve covers, intake heater, and possible the fuel lines? anything else can it be polished or is that all of the aluminum

and does anyone have one or two extra valve covers layin around they wanna sell or even maybe a complete set?
 

Last edited by tltruckparts; Oct 11, 2009 at 12:29 AM.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 01:48 AM
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pretty sure it's just the aluminum. as for the injector lines you may be able to bring them up to a real nice shine bare metal... i'm pretty sure they dont rust; if anything go get a rattle can of clear coat

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

and you can cheat... go to a chrome shop and you can get a polishing wheel for a grinder... may be able to cut afew steps out of the hand sanding; do it all by machine... two double bench top grinders. one wire wheel and then 3 stages of polishing wheels; i'd go this route if you plan on doing anythign and everything thats aluminum on the truck
 

Last edited by tower_ofpower; Oct 11, 2009 at 01:48 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 03:58 PM
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Don't forget your intake plate, intake horn, heater lines (already mentioned), alternator bracket (steel but who cares), intercooler tank ends, radiator top, alternator case, ummm...that may be it.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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to polish the valve covers you need to use aircraft stripper on them and then sand them in steps to the highest grit desired until you like the way they look. them take them to a buffing wheel and start with black jewelers rouge then go to green then finish with white. them you can use regular polish to finish them. to make your fuel and heater lines shine get them chromed(they are steel not aluminum) but you can polish your intake.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 09:15 PM
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I would use a chemical stripper instead of sand paper, then use a high speed polishing wheel and compound. Don't really like the idea of using different grit sand paper.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Gunmetal
I would use a chemical stripper instead of sand paper, then use a high speed polishing wheel and compound. Don't really like the idea of using different grit sand paper.
i blasted mine with glass bead and then buffed worked brilliant and looks like chrome!
 
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