Nick85 Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 I bought a set of cam covers as the ones on my car are caked in old oil, paint and general dirt. So easier to buy as second hand cleaner set. So I started cleaning the second set and they are polished under the dirt on them. I'm cleaning by hand with metal polish and a cloth and its taken about and hour to get this far I'll be happy if I can get them looking like this But would prefer a better finish. Does anyone have any tips/cleaning products they recommend to clean them up. It'll be done by hand as I don't own and polishing tools and don't want to buy any just for this. I don't mind putting in the elbow work but if there's an easier way by hand I'll happily try it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk4Gaz Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 You'll struggle to get a high quality finish, just by hand. My best advice, would be to go and buy some wet and dry paper, and then with soapy water, sand it back to being dead smooth again. 1200, 1500, then 2000 grit. You'll get fairly good results with autoglym, and a polishing wheel that fits into a standard electric drill chuck - if you don't even own a drill, buy a crap £15 homebase special, and a polishing wheel off eBay for £5. Trust me, there's no point trying to skrimp over £20. You can buy proper polishing kits for around £20, that together with a drill/dremel, will produce excellent results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Horrible, dirty mucky, long job. Either pay someone to do it or buy a proper polishing kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Give them to a profesional polisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebor69 Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Wire wool and Solvolautosol ....oh and plenty of elbow grease ......used to do our bike engine casings this way and the results were like mirror finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLMKIV Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 I bought a set of cam covers as the ones on my car are caked in old oil, paint and general dirt. So easier to buy as second hand cleaner set. So I started cleaning the second set and they are polished under the dirt on them. I'm cleaning by hand with metal polish and a cloth and its taken about and hour to get this far [ATTACH]172992[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]172993[/ATTACH] I'll be happy if I can get them looking like this [ATTACH]172994[/ATTACH] But would prefer a better finish. Does anyone have any tips/cleaning products they recommend to clean them up. It'll be done by hand as I don't own and polishing tools and don't want to buy any just for this. I don't mind putting in the elbow work but if there's an easier way by hand I'll happily try it There is some awesome stuff called Metal Gloss. It comes in two bottles and stinks like hell but goes a hell of a long way. It's 27 USD bottle set on ebay. I'm not sure what it would be for your currency. All you have to do is lightly rub and your cam covers will turn out emaculate. Without elbo grease of any scuffing pads steel wool or anything. It works flawlessly. http://www.master-formula.com/car_polish.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLMKIV Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Give them to a profesional polisher Nick If the polish doesn't workas good as you would like then this would be a better idea of course judging by the looks ok it. Nice covers DNK.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safcdixon Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Give them to a profesional polisher Whats the cost of having these done proffesionally just for future reference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFC Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Whats the cost of having these done proffesionally just for future reference Dixon I know a lad in Hebburn who is amazing at polishing like! If you're after any quotes give me a shout and I'll get his details! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick85 Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 Cheers for the advice guys. I've got a drill already (didn't think to use it) so going to invest in a polishing kit since they seem to cost next to nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbasupra Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Whats the cost of having these done proffesionally just for future reference Id also like to know a rough cost of this service if anybody knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 (edited) Before you start polishing you'll need to strip off the coating/paint that's on them and then remove any casting flash lines etc using a belt linisher, then you can start polishing. Your looking at around £80-£100 for the polishing + £15 to strip in phosphoric acid, if you use the acid dip you'll need to remove the valve on the inlet cover which means you'll need to replace the grommet it fits into. Edited September 10, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Rob Mitchell at Darnley Auto works may be able to offer some pointers or give you a quote on re polishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I've you a full set of polishing mops and soaps if you wana borrow and try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbasupra Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 (edited) Can anyone tell me how much mess polishing items makes? would you be able to do it in a shed size building? or would i need more ventilation? Edited September 11, 2013 by simbasupra (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulley Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I have all the industrial polishing gear at work for mirror finishing Ali and stainless But knowing the effort and time (I've done so much at work) I decided to buy DNK's covers It's a lot of work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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