Before:


After:


I apologize for the quality of the pictures, they were taken with a web cam.
-Les

 

Before:


After:

 

The finish is very mirror-like, despite the poor picture quality, I think you can still get the idea.


I also cleaned the rail that connects to the TB and runs above the valve cover:

 

lookin very good.


what'd you use to clean it with?

 

Everything was done by hand, in order:

engine degreaser
warm soapy water
400 grit wet sanding
1000 grit wet sanding
1500 grit wet sanding
rubbing compound

 

looks much better than before

 

not bad, but you're 6 months behind me..

get some mag & aluminum wheel polish on that valve cover and it'll really shine things up.

 

That does look good. Almost a chrome look to it...I LIKE IT!!!

 

looks good!!

 

MMMMMMmnmn, me like

 

 

Thanks fellas, I'll try out the mag. & alum. cleaner.

Now, I'm gonna wait on the rain to let up so I can go fight my pcv valve

 

After a while will it tarnish or fade out? Im thinking of trying that out with my 93', because that looks great!

 

You going to hit those parts with some sort of clear coat paint? Or will that just dull it out.... Do they even make hi-temp clear coat?

 

it won't need hi-temp clear.. and if you put any type of "regular" clear finish on it, it'll get milky and look like a$$.

This was using a special lacquer that was designed for brass and aluminum:


Before painting:
http://www.ee.utulsa.edu/~mblehm/pic...ics/mirror.jpg
after:
http://www.ee.utulsa.edu/~mblehm/pic...20aluminum.jpg

 

looks pretty good. does that process work with the VG30E? i think i heard from somewhere that the VG's metal are different than the VE. i think i'll shine mine up if i have some spare time.

 

Hey if you guys want anything polished let me or Pezking know. You can send it our way for a small fee. To do it yourself takes about 12 solid hours, alot of sandpaper, and raw fingers....

 

12 hours for that!?

 

Be kind, that was my first time and my fingers hurt now

 

You you definitely did a good job cleaning it up, it's a GREAT DIY job. Below is what I consider "polished"

http://www.hipershine.com/images/NubiansCover.jpg

 

Looks good Sudesh.

I showed a few people locally and they asked if I would do their valve covers as well. Maybe I should just rent some tools

 

Just for fun

 

Sudesh you still polish right??? How much would it cost to get the Intake Manifold and TB on a VG polished???

 

yeah, i'm still buying tools and stuff so that when business starts i can do these things, quicker, extremely cheap and better. Also looking to purchase as many spare valve covers as cheap as possible so that I care start a 'core' charge system to get things moving faster. As far as pricing goes i haven't yet set up any firm pricing, but to polish any intake manifold won't be too cheap, there's alot of rough casting marks that need to be properly removed first.