Weird film/spray on my valve covers.

[smokey]

Simachrome polish on a buff wheel on the dremel should buff those right out.

 

[Austin]

I'd hit it with soap and water.

 

[LEB Ben]

^^^You want to swap Ford Racing Aluminum valve covers for chromes?????? Tell you want, I'll swap you, pay for shipping and give you $20.


FWIW...those covers you have are easily $200 covers. I don't think I've seen a set of quality chromes ever. Usually $20-40 brand new, rust really quick and chip even sooner.

 

[taxreliever]

^^^You want to swap Ford Racing Aluminum valve covers for chromes?????? Tell you want, I'll swap you, pay for shipping and give you $20.

FWIW...those covers you have are easily $200 covers. I don't think I've seen a set of quality chromes ever. Usually $20-40 brand new, rust really quick and chip even sooner.

That info is worth a lot. The PO went top of the line on every single nut, bolt, gear, wire, you name it and I always wondered why he didn't put chrome VC's on it. We still talk all the time, just haven't had a chance to ask him.

Yeah.....crap....then maybe I should keep those on there.....I thought they made good chrome covers, but maybe not.

So you have chrome VC's in Red?

I'll polish those up, check the hoses at operating temperature, rev it up a little to see if I see any spray, drive it a little, and see what happens.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah...the Ford Racing covers are a pretty penny. Not mecessarily my style, but they do look good. Personally, I looooooooove the old Mickey Thompson valve covers, but even in abd condition those things are like gold. So out side of the MT covers, I like the stock covers the best. I've toyed with the idea of buying some crinkle covers from either the 'Powered By ____' or Ford Racing line, then milling down the accents I don't like and adding some sort of emblem, either a blue oval or have some custom cut 400 emblems. And to answer your question, no I don't have the chrome covers on anything...but I do have a set I bought from a buddy for $10 just because. That said, I do believe Milodon does make a decent set of chrome covers...but they're too plain for me.

 

[m78]

Have you done any different type of cleaning with an acid based cleaner ?

I would find something that neutralizes what ever is on there like Dennis suggested.

 

[taxreliever]

Have you done any different type of cleaning with an acid based cleaner ?

I would find something that neutralizes what ever is on there like Dennis suggested.

I didn't see a product listed....may do a little search. The covers are aluminum, so I don't want to ruin them.

Know of any brands? Are saying like the CLR for rust removal stuff?

 

[m78]

I didn't see a product listed....may do a little search. The covers are aluminum, so I don't want to ruin them.

Know of any brands? Are saying like the CLR for rust removal stuff?

CLR has hydrochloric acid in it, or something similar. And what corrodes aluminum is usually acid based.

I read that the natural oxidation that aluminum does, protects it , so when you clean it all the time you remove its protection. It might be good to find another source of protection. ( WD 40)

 

[Mil1ion]

They wouldn't be using this stuff this early would they? We haven't been much below freezing except for a night or two this past week.

How much rain have you had this year and did you drive in the rain on a less travelled road ?

 

[Mil1ion]

Ben, are you saying in one of the radiator hoses maybe? That corrosion from the anti-freeze/coolant? Or would a different fluid from another hose cause this?

Hardly....Coolant has Corrosion INhibtors in it, actually properties that encourage lubrication to moving parts

 

[Mil1ion]

Cleanser

Try an spray on alloy wheel cleaner like Eagle sells.

 

[taxreliever]

Any more suggestions?

How much rain have you had this year and did you drive in the rain on a less travelled road ?

We've had plenty of rain this year, maybe a little more than average. I only put about 1000 miles on it this summer and it only showed up in the last 60 miles of two-three little trips at best. So whatever did this, did it in the last 60 miles or so on a couple of trips outside of my garage.

Hardly....Coolant has Corrosion INhibtors in it, actually properties that encourage lubrication to moving parts

Hmmm.....so, now I'm a little worried and confused.

Going to try and clean it with some of the suggestions on here and let it idle for a while in my garage, rev it and see if I can see anything, then drive it a little while, but am confused again. Any more suggestions? Damnit.

I'll try to get better pictures around the engine bay and maybe even video trying to scrape it.

 

[taxreliever]

So, I guess I'm at the end of this thread.....I went out this morning and started to polish the valve covers and used a rotating bristled brush (had to because the corrosion on there is like rust) with some metal polish and although a small shine came through on most of it, the inside corners were ruined and you can see scars throughout the covers. I have some mibro polish that I'll use with my dremel polishing kit and see if it gets the scars out.

I ran it this morning for a few hours.....took it on the road and let it idle for a little a while and there was no spray or leaks anywhere.....there were a few suggestions on this site and the "other" one of me possibly running through a puddle with some chemicals or salt and that has to be the only explanation. Just weird that it happened overnight.

Anyways, unless someone else has any other suggestions, I appreciate all the help as usual!!! She was running fine this morning.

 

[m78]

Sorry to here that Ken.
Maybe when time allows, you can take them off to where you can really get at them with a buffer.

 

[LEB Ben]

^^^Agreed...I would imagine there would be a detailing or restore shop somewhere around you that could refinish them for you.

 

[taxreliever]

Sorry to here that Ken.
Maybe when time allows, you can take them off to where you can really get at them with a buffer.

^^^Agreed...I would imagine there would be a detailing or restore shop somewhere around you that could refinish them for you.

Yup....would be a good winter project while she's resting I guess. I could try to use my mibro stuff, which is supposed to be really good stuff......and my dremel and buff the shi* out of them....if that doesn't work, take them to a restore shop. Good thing car show season is over cause they certainly don't look show quality. At least she's running good and that's more important to me than looks.

I'll have to post some before and after shots of this little winter project and see how my skills are and if I have to take them to a restore shop.

Thanks guys!

 

[Mil1ion]

http://www.usmotors.com/products/ProFacts/modernaluminum.htm

http://www.snelsons.co.uk/aluminium_corrosion.html