Stripping Holley valve covers.

[G-Body_Vet]

Before I start buying a bunch of random chemicals I figured I'd get some real world advice. I have a few sets of these valve covers and they appear to have something similar to crinkle paint or undercoating on them. I tried hitting them with 70 grit aluminum oxide since that's what's in my blast cabinet and it didn't put a scratch in them. Is there a better non-silicone based abrasive to use or will some chemicals be in order? I'm looking for the fastest way to get them stripped.

 

[455rocket]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

Aircraft paint stripper, load it up and use a paint stick to scrape it off. Auto Zone sells a good one.

 

[khan0165]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

I went thru the same nightmare with my L98 covers... They could be anodized, in which case it'd be a b*tch to blast them. I'm gonna give mine another go this summer with aircraft stripper. Using ordinary stripper, I went thru 8 coats before I gave up, and it barely got thru the first few layers.
I've heard good things about the Aircraft stuff... but I get a feeling I'll be lathering the covers with a nice chunk of it before it starts ripping the paint/coating off.

 

[dave4552008]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

if they are anodized oven cleaner or drain cleaner will take it off

 

[khan0165]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

if they are anodized oven cleaner or drain cleaner will take it off

thanks for the tip... I didn't know that! I'll give it a try

 

[Longroof79]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

They're probably a baked on finish or powder coated, in which case could be a hassle to strip. If the bead blaster didn't take it off.. I don't know. If you have a similar valve cover in not-so great shape to experiment with, go for it with either aircraft stripper or oven cleaner as suggested. The oven cleaner could be corrosive.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

I'll try the aircraft stuff and see what happens. I'm not a fan of the oven cleaner. I tried it before and it doesn't work very fast. Besides that it's an aerosol and you have to be careful using it.

 

[okndnx]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

any updates on the paint stripper yet just wondering I have the same project ready to go

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

any updates on the paint stripper yet just wondering I have the same project ready to go

I might try to get started on it Thursday if I have time.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Re: Stripping Holley valve covers...need suggestions.

Finally got around to giving these valve covers a go. I picked up a can of the aircraft stripper and some bondo spreaders from Advance Auto, along with some Saran wrap from the grocery store along the way. I was actually pretty impressed with it. I used oven cleaner on a different set of covers last year and the results weren't even near what the aircraft stripper achieved.

As you can see, attempting to soda blast them did next to nothing.

I got a piece of cardboard to set them on, doused them thoroughly and wrapped them in the Saran wrap to keep the stripper from evaporating too fast. This was the first application and about 20 mins of waiting

After two more applications with some waiting and scraping in between, this is what I have. Wrapping them in plastic allows the stripper to work a little longer.....I suppose anyway. Besides just using the small Bondo spreader to scrape with, I also had a cheap plastic trim popper that I used for the small areas. I used a stiff nylon brush to get between the fins. The reasoning for using plastic scrapers is to avoid gouging the aluminum surface. I would not suggest any wire or brass brushes either.

A preview of what's going to happen to these covers (polished!)

And most importantly, use PPE if you decide to do this. It's caustic stuff and you don't want it on your skin, in your eyes or lungs either.