22 replies to this topic

[mandarinvx]

I've had enough of the oxidation all over my rocker/cam cover, so I'd like to polish it to achieve something like this:


But how do I do it?

I've found loads of polishes on ebay but I'm not sure which one to use - both Autoglym and Meguires do cleaner/polishers but I dont know if they will be strong enough to remove the oxidation, or there's also some tubes by AutoSol and AutoChrome

Can anyone recommend one for the job?

What do I use, do I have to use fine wet and dry first, and is the polish applied with a cloth or will I need to use wire wool/scourer pad?

Sorry about all the questions (nothing new there tho )

Any input greatly appreciated

[racing182]

I did that t my 182, but it was a bit harder as it had a rough surfice. I used sand paper working down the grades and then wet and dry. Then just used autoglym metal polish. It was nice and shiny by the time i sold it.

[redhairsucks]

personally id take it off. take it to get it sand blasted then have it parts washed at a engine builders place. then you could spry it any colour you like. i think polishe is a bit old school but each to their own. ive done this twice and both times used acid etch primer then a satin finsh paint. you could always tke it to a body shop and have a propper job for around £50

[mandarinvx]

I was going to take it off originally, and then have it anodised silver or black, or at least sprayed up, but to save the hassle involved I decided I may just polish it If I did, would I need to use heat resistant paint, not sure what temp the rocker cover gets up to Do you know how much the gaskets are? I wanted to get a second hand one but couldn't see any, tried emailing a few breakers but they said as the engines fetch a lot second-hand they only tend to sell them fully built I'll put a wanted ad up just in case anyone has one gathering dust in their garage

[vocky]

I used 'solvol' and a buffing attachment for my electric drill, takes a few hours I have a spare cam cover, you could borrow it and then give me back your old cover

[mandarinvx]

I used 'solvol' and a buffing attachment for my electric drill, takes a few hours

I have a spare cam cover, you could borrow it and then give me back your old cover

Sounds like a plan!

Cheers mate

[Guy182]

depending how rough it is,
work your way down the wet and dry sandpaper grades (use water with it!) making sure theres no scratches visible before you change to the next grade.
then give a good buffing with autosol. then a bit of autoglym super resin to keep it from oxidising again

best to have a machine with a buffing wheel really.

my 182 was a rough alloy casting:
progress:


finished:

[mandarinvx]

Bloody 'ell that looks great mate - how long did it take you

Got myself a tube of Autosol from ebay

[Guy182]

hours! but yours shouldnt be quite as bad as its not a rough casting?? i scrubbed so had i had blisters on my thumb :|

[mandarinvx]

I'm going to give it a go, either with wet'n'dry or the drill attachment method, once it's nice n shiney I'll either give it a coat of Autoglym, or take it down the anodising place (could even get it done orange tho that may look a tad tacky )

[mandarinvx]

Just an update in case of a future search

Vocky has very kindly lent me his spare cover, so I don't have to leave mine off for any length of time

Picked it up tonight looking like this:

Very clean already to be fair

Had a quick go at polishing - at first I tried Solvol, but there's too much grime, also noticed quite a few small 'dinks' and a few scratches so broke out the wet'n'dry.
Used 180 at first to get rid of any marks, then 240, then 400, then 1200 and finished with a polish:



Looking much better me thinks
Okay so it took about 1/2 hour just for that small bit, so looks like I've got my work cut out for the rest of the evenings this week!

Also found some very high temperature clear spray paint, and some clear engine enamel, so may finish it off with a coat of one of those

[Muncher]

Mandarin - How did you get on with this?

[Coral flash]

I've had enough of the oxidation all over my rocker/cam cover, so I'd like to polish it to achieve something like

Confess I am a bit of a engine bay cleaning freak myself, whatever method you use to get it up to scatch, I use jet washer under bonnet on a warm engine and then dose everything with silicone tyre dressing to keep out moisture from electrics and prevent oxidisation of ally castings.

Worked for me

[oblomov]

If you've got an electric drill you can put the drill in the vice (don't tighten too hard)
And use a 4" medium cut cotton mop with Tripoli grade polish to get rid of all the roughness. You might need a smaller mop to get in the corners. Then finish with a softer mop and Solvol Autosol.

If you're going to laquer/varnish it you need to take care to degrease properly especially in the corners.

Some good stuff here Eastwood
or here Frost

or buy cheaper off the internet if you know what you're looking for.

[mandarinvx]

It worked really well - ended up buying a polishing kit from Srewfix, two mops and two compounds with arbour, and a set of mini-mops off ebay to use with the Dremel - but I still haven't got round to fitting it (sorry Vocky )
The gasket kit is around £18, not sure if I need to use any compound, doesn't look like it

What lacquer would you recommend - I thought normal lacquer would discolour / peel - will it be ok after all

A (very bad) quick pic:

[vocky]

I'm in no rush I'm sure you will fit it one day

[Crimson_Killa]

on a sub note and i know its chavy but i want to replace most of the hoses with silicone blue ones. you can get a tubby kit from samco but not for the na, are there specific ones for the jobs they do ie pressure rated or is it a case of just buy the right size and fit??

[mandarinvx]

on a sub note and i know its chavy but i want to replace most of the hoses with silicone blue ones.

you can get a tubby kit from samco but not for the na, are there specific ones for the jobs they do ie pressure rated or is it a case of just buy the right size and fit??

You could try PM'ing or emailing 'venair' - re his post in this thread

[Crimson_Killa]

on a sub note and i know its chavy but i want to replace most of the hoses with silicone blue ones.

you can get a tubby kit from samco but not for the na, are there specific ones for the jobs they do ie pressure rated or is it a case of just buy the right size and fit??

You could try PM'ing or emailing 'venair' - re his post in this thread

cheers mate pmed him now

[siti]

what laquer should be used i have a spare that i have polished to a ridiculous shine, it needs laquering seriously so what can i use?