Guys with fabbed aluminum valve covers..

[r_biccum]

I just bought a set of fabbed aluminum valve covers for my 383, while the craftsmanship is outstanding, there is a white residue or oxidation surrounding all the welds. Does anyone else have this? Anything I can do about it, or just live with it?

[firefighter3931]

Polish it 


Ron

[r_biccum]

I dont want them shiney, I like the natural aluminum finish...

[terrible one]

You're right, the white that you see is oxidation of the aluminum. If you don't want to polish them you'll have to find something to protect the natural finish. They make rust inhibitors that you can spray on and rub in that would probably work pretty well, or even just the lightest coat of polish or whatever for protection maybe?

[mauve66]

maybe find some aluminum wheel cleaner first that way when you put the polich on your not covering the residue thats there, also just polishing them will bring back the nautural clean look if you stop early enough so they are not shiny, try hand rubbing them instead of using a wheel, i always did that on my tractor trailer cause i wanted them clean but not shiny reflective

[Chatt69chgr]

The ideal thing would be to have them clear anodized after you get them polished and then dulled with some steel wool.  Or possibly have them powdered coated with a clear paint.  Or just paint them with high temp clear after cleaning them up.

[r_biccum]

Thanks  I will try rubbin the oxidation off with a little compound. I did plan on clear coating them after they are clean for protection.

[Foreman72]

may i just say i love them and can't wait to get them for my 318...i might paint them black but leave a stencil on for a natural aluminum 318 callout...or the other way around...depending on other engine component colors...

[r_biccum]

yeah, They are beautiful.. other than the oxidation 

[r_biccum]

Red scotch brite