My bag of tricks:



Dremel flap sander in the 'pockets' for the bolts. Narrow brush for the grooves on the top. Wide brush for the pocket bottoms (around the bolt hole in the corners). Air tools for roughing in (one pass each tool), then 120 and 240 grit on the Ryobi sander, then two grits of scotch-brite pads.

Total time invested is about 30-35 minutes each valve cover to go from both looking like the left:


To this:


Just one pass with each tool/grit.

ok, you used many of the things I did, just didnt spend as much time since im going High polish finnish

I'm deliberately avoiding a high polish considering the coating I have planned. I would spend about another 20 minutes on each one for high polish. No more than an hour each cover from crap to high-polish.

I don't feel like fighting corrosion long-term, and want a durable finish that will hold up to alot of contact:







That'* about a 600-grit final finish. Mirror from there is easy.

alright, so whats this coating your getting?

I'll show you in a couple days or three. Typical well-known coating. Renowned for it'* durability and resistance to corrosion.

They would look good like that with just a clear coat.

You sure can polish.

POR 15




kidding

Rhino-liner. Tough and durable. Able to stand up to all the tools that'll get knocked off the SC or drpped onto it.

I used that on my front lower scoops.

I don't think you're getting them anodized so.....

Powder Coated is my guess.

It'* tough and hard.
If it was any other kind of coating, you'd be doing it yourself.