Polishing engine covers

Can someone tell me the proper way to get light road rash off my engine covers. I've done SOME polishing before, but I would like to know some of your guys way of doing this.

it might help if you post a pic of the damage so we could see how bad it is and how to go about fixing it

Start with a block sander and maybe a file depending on how bad they are,the castings tend to be wavey and polishing without getting things nice and flat/smooth first magnifys it.

wireman wrote: Start with a block sander and maybe a file depending on how bad they are,the castings tend to be wavey and polishing without getting things nice and flat/smooth first magnifys it.

if you have a polishing wheel I suggest getting a 3M deburring wheel (wish I had one)

File block sand you rash out where I did mine had a small belt sander with emery cloth
i used that for a while til I thought I had it hit it with a quick polish on the wheel
to see how much work it needed then used the deburring wheel

only spent a few minutes polishing because I get bored easily

My brother has more patience than I do he uses the deburring wheel after sanding then moves on to the rouges and wow he can make it shine

Here is one side, the other side is about the same.


Sorry for the poor phone pics

Here is one side, the other side is about the same.
Maybe I should add that they have already been polished at one time, I have only kept them cleaned and hand polished with some Mother's cause I was afraid of scaring them even more. But I really want these scratches out!


Sorry for the poor phone pics

without polishing tools just start sanding wrap a piece of sand paper around a paint stick put a towel in your lap and sand while watching the speed channel

gradually getting finer with the paper until you get to 2 or 3k grit
I keep a spray bottle and sand wet but I dont really think it matters

jmo

it will look worse before it looks better

Everything everybody said about the sanding process. But you may have to start with a fine metal file. Use light pressure because because you want to avoid getting file marks which are still a pain to sand out as you can see from the second picture below. You can the cover was gauged up pretty good from a fall or crash. With enough force that the points housing had a piece missing (therefore the black tape). Replaced the housing but saved the cover.

Are you sure that wasn't chromed ?
As shiny as it looks around the DOHC it kinda reminds me of my old chrome one.

Nice job Joe.

Thanks guys!

Good job Joe!

And Ramtough, I've seen your polishing !
Its not gonna be too much longer for me to start on my old baby. I will keep pics posted and sure I'll have plenty of questions ahead

With a stool, some decent tunes, and a fridge full of beer, much is possible.
I found a metal polish called "Mr. Buffer". Can't be bought in California, but it's made (or was) in Oklahoma, and I bought some on line. Worked better than anything else I tried.
Tim

A bit pricey!

if you have a polishing wheel I suggest getting a 3M deburring wheel (wish I had one)

File block sand you rash out where I did mine had a small belt sander with emery cloth
i used that for a while til I thought I had it hit it with a quick polish on the wheel
to see how much work it needed then used the deburring wheel

only spent a few minutes polishing because I get bored easily

My brother has more patience than I do he uses the deburring wheel after sanding then moves on to the rouges and wow he can make it shine[/quote]