One evening while searching the tech articles on the Pelicanparts.com website I found an article about detailing the engine bay. The end results were very nice and it looked like something I could do in my spare time. From the factory the valve covers come coated in a yellow film called cosmoline. Its purpose is to protect the valve covers from corroding. After removing the valve covers. I started sanding with 600 grit sand paper. I worked for about 5 minutes and made very little progress. I figured there was an easier way to do it so I put the project aside. The next time I was out and about, I stopped by the Zone to check out there paint supplies. I ended up buying an aerosol can of aircraft stripper and an aerosol can of red ceramic engine paint. I applied the first dose of stripper inside my apartment. That was a mistake, it fumigated the whole place. After about 30 minutes, the finish was nice and bubbly and was ready to be removed. With the help of a cheap kitchen knife I scrapped the majority of the cosmoline away. That was good for about 75% of the valve cover. I gave it another coat and scrape, which was good for another 10%. I tried to get the rest off with steal wool with out much luck. That was a good stopping point. A few days later when I had nothing to do I returned to the project armed with my trusty Dremel equipped with the flexible shaft attachment and a #530 stainless steel brush. I cleaned the rest of the valve cover up. It took 1 bit per side to make them spotless, which required a trip to Wal-mart for an extra. Lastly, to remove grease and dirt from previous, I tossed them in the dishwasher for a little bath. After they were dry I masked off the backside, applied some prep sol and then the engine paint. I followed the directions on the can and used 4 or 5 coats per valve cover.  Also, I heated the new paint w/ a heat gun to help make the paint cure. Total cost was around $10. I drug it our over 2 weeks, but I probably spent 2 hours max in real time actually working on them.

22 years old with factory finish, not to shabby.

Cool stripped and brushed aluminum look.

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Finished product ready to install.