How to clean this alum Timing Chain cover???

[Chevy-SS]

I have pristine supercharged Roush Mustang, and I'm re-doing the timing chains. This cover is exceptionally dirty. The rest of the car is actually very clean.

When I go to cruise nights or shows, the hood is often up, and this cover is probably the most visible engine part. For a normal car, I wouldn't bother cleaning it any more, but for this Roush, I'd like to get it close to new, if possible. How can I make this thing shine like new?? Or am I dreaming? Thanks for any help.

 

[Shiftless]

Send it to CudaChick1968
She will blast it and powder coat in natural aluminum color or what ever color you want.

 

[Packard V8]

Run it through your dishwasher on the pots and pans cycle.

Of course, divorce is more expensive than taking it to a local engine shop and having them clean it via ultrasonic or soda blast.

jack vines

 

[mike93lx]

Hot water, soap and a scotch Brite pad? Once clean, paint it to make maintenance easier

 

[regguy1]

Aluma Blast: https://www.eastwood.com/ew-aluma-blast-paint-aerosol-12-oz.html

 

[strutaeng]

Dawn soap, brushes and elbow grease. I use purple power to power wash transmission cases and engines, but it does change the color slightly of the aluminum covers and such.

 

[ZRX61]

Degrease as best you can, then have it vapor-blasted. Nothing else comes close.

 

[ZRX61]

 

[Chevy-SS]

Degrease as best you can, then have it vapor-blasted. Nothing else comes close.

WOW!!! That is absolutely amazing.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Thanks for the replies. You all had some good ideas. But then I was looking to buy some other Ford parts, and I saw the cover - BRAND NEW - with a tensioner and pulleys (pic below)...... for $157! I was honestly shocked that it was so cheap.

It seems like a LOT of work and aggravation to try and clean it; and likely end up with poor results. So I am just gonna buy me a new one.

 

[rsanter]

Have it polished before you install

 

[ZRX61]

WOW!!! That is absolutely amazing.

That was a basic job, if you do the two step cut & blend it comes out shiny:

 

[unslow1]

I polish my stuff but it is a lot of work and a bit pricey.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Have it polished before you install

Nah, then it might be too much contrast against the older parts. However, I will spray it thoroughly with some protective coating. Got any ideas?

I still can't believe the brand new part is so cheap, haha. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw it pop up on my screen. Best part is: I wasn't even searching for it. Woohoo, that engine is gonna look nice when I'm done.

 

[ZRX61]

Nah, then it might be too much contrast against the older parts. However, I will spray it thoroughly with some protective coating. Got any ideas?

I still can't believe the brand new part is so cheap, haha. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw it pop up on my screen. Best part is: I wasn't even searching for it. Woohoo, that baby is gonna look nice when I'm done.

Gibbs oil

 

[Chevy-SS]

Gibbs oil? Interesting.... Won't that attract and hold dirt? I was thinking of something like a clear-coat out of a spray can.

 

[ZRX61]

Gibbs oil? Interesting.... Won't that attract and hold dirt? I was thinking of something like a clear-coat out of a spray can.

I was thinking ya meant some kinda spray on goop, but clear coat would be far better.

 

[engineer2]

 

[CudaChick1968]

Send it to CudaChick1968
She will blast it and powder coat in natural aluminum color or what ever color you want.

Thanks @Shiftless!!

Since you've decided not to restore yours and will likely have the Rousch forever @Chevy-SS, the brand new timing cover can be shipped directly here. Pick a color and forget about it getting all grungy and discolored. My stuff cleans up with car wash soap.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Thanks @Shiftless!!

Since you've decided not to restore yours and will likely have the Rousch forever @Chevy-SS, the brand new timing cover can be shipped directly here. Pick a color and forget about it getting all grungy and discolored. My stuff cleans up with car wash soap.

And it will look better, longer, than any clear from a spray can.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've found soda blasting to do an excellent job cleaning scruffy looking aluminum parts. Of course the bar code decal will be lost.

 

[Packard V8]

Is the new part you're considering a genuine FoMoCo or a chicom approximation?

jack vines

 

[mike93lx]

Is the new part you're considering a genuine FoMoCo or a chicom approximation?

jack vines

It's right there in the image...

 

[Chrisb62]

Probably still from China.......

 

[493mike]

I used Everbrite on my entire aluminum 540 Indy motor.
Mike

 

[CudaChick1968]

I used Everbrite on my entire aluminum 540 Indy motor.
Mike

The intake sure looks splotchy. Did EverBrite do that to it?

 

[Cluster]

I always use straight kerosene for initial de-grease and clean of metal parts. With a cheap paint brush & toothbrush dipping it out of small tin can into drip pan.
Beauty of kerosene is that it can be throughly rinsed off with a garden hose (kerosene is partially miscible in water) ; the water will not rust even a cast iron or bare steel piece due to the thin film that remains from the kerosene.... It works surprisingly well !
Kerosene will kill your grass or plants though.

 

[Willie Makeit]

Starbrite aluminum cleaner.

 

[JonBoehman]

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

For what you wanted, vapor blasting would have been the best route to get it looking new, but it would have been more expensive than the new part you purchased. You definitely made the right call buying the new part.

 

[Keyblazer]

Results from my home made Vapor Blaster…
Crusty old Alfa Romeo timing cover.
Before and after.

 

[Sweetcorn]

Results from my home made Vapor Blaster…
Crusty old Alfa Romeo timing cover.
Before and after.

That looks great!
How long did that take you to blast, if you don't mind my asking?
I've been sitting on the fence about buying/building a vapor blaster.
I have a nice sandblaster, but you know... More tools!

 

[Keyblazer]

I want to say about 30 mins total.

I bought a used Media Blast cabinet to build my VB.
More info on my VB build over on my main thread if you are interested

 

[ALLFAST]

Gibbs oil? Interesting.... Won't that attract and hold dirt? I was thinking of something like a clear-coat out of a spray can.

Gibbs will preserve the metal and leave a protective film that repels dirt and salt air residue. It also revitalizes paint, leather, and countless other materials with no residue-You can paint items after your basic prep with no Ill effects, unlike WD-40.

It’s pricey but it works wonders and does many duties, plus it goes a long way. I can make a large can last a year with regular use.

 

[mrbill55]

Thanks for the replies. You all had some good ideas. But then I was looking to buy some other Ford parts, and I saw the cover - BRAND NEW - with a tensioner and pulleys (pic below)...... for $157! I was honestly shocked that it was so cheap.

It seems like a LOT of work and aggravation to try and clean it; and likely end up with poor results. So I am just gonna buy me a new one.

The part number may be the same, but the date code of the casting won't match the car, just saying, in case you get the bug to show your car down the road


Bill S.

 

[American Locomotive]

I recommend clear coating the aluminum on the new piece if you want it to continue looking good. Raw aluminum rapidly corrodes.

 

[Jeffrey_p4]

Results from my home made Vapor Blaster…
Crusty old Alfa Romeo timing cover.
Before and after.

 

[66fl]

Cerakote has some air dry clear for aluminum as well as other options

 

[toplessHO]

Gibbs oil? Interesting.... Won't that attract and hold dirt? I was thinking of something like a clear-coat out of a spray can.

Cerakote MC-5100.
Wash with Dawn first.

 

[CudaChick1968]

X3 on the CeraKote MC-5100! I've used it on everything I polish and buff since discovering it ... especially Mopar HP273 "Commando" valve cover fins.



I just typed this up on another forum I've belonged to since 2009 (heavy on Before Pics). Check out the video especially!