I recently polished a spare valve cover that I bought and was wondering how I should go by cleaning it before installing it. I had it sitting for about 2months and the inside its probably dirty mixing up with debris from sanding and junk with the left over oil.

Also if I hold the valve cover in both my hands and shake it an I suppost to hear a rattle? I can't seem to trace it to anything specific...

 

Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish

 

Take it to the car wash and power wash it?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC3ES...eature=related

This guys used a engine degreaser and brake cleaner to clean it off and wipe it down with a rag anyone have any experience or advice on this?

I would think pressure washing ti would not be so good.

 

the rattle you hear is the pcv valve in the back of the valve cover. I would think engine degreaser would work to clean it

 

they have a metal polishing sandpaper kit at home depot. I got that to clean up my headers but then i decided to sell them cause i am goign turbo. Then use some never-dull or metal polish and should be good to go. Just sand in one direction too!

 

My big thing about that is won't some of that get left behind? Would brake cleaner work? I was told that some citrus degreasers for engines will stain the metal.

 

google it. everything ive found says to use degreaser or brake cleaner than rinse it with water and then hit it with a hari dryer or heat gun to dry it.

 

I would use a degreaser. You should be fine. Citrus would be fine as well, as I just did my engine bay not too long ago and I have a polished intake.