Polish the block

[Curry]

Whats the best way to do it?

I've got 300 and 600 grit wetsand paper on hand, anything else? Does the direction I sand in matter? Never really done this before so tips would be great. I've tried searching google but I guess im not using the right terms.

Whats a good polish to use?

[bigbird]

well u might want to finish the polish with an even finer sandpaper, like 1000+. also make sure its sandpaper that can actually be used on metal. most places ive seen do it use machines but i guess if u have the right stuff doing it by hand would work, ur wrist will be real sore though . make sure the any areas u cant get finely polished are in the direction of airflow.

[Curry]

Ok well I got started yesterday and did a little more today. I didnt take off the cover becuase im lazy. lol. Im using a toothbrush and stick to get the hard to reach places haha.

[Venom_5]

toothbrush and stick ... curry you have the most bootleg solutions ever, but i love them

looks good

[Toysrme]

that's not the block that's the valvecover.
the easyest way is to beadblast it
or simply clean it of oils, etc. scuff it up with some light emery cloth & either paint it, or powdercoat it.

otherwise emery cloth -> 800 grit -> 1000 grit -> polishing compound
if you must, 1500 and 2000 grits are alright too.
dont swirl the paper go in one direction. otherwise youll just be scoring random lines & making alot of work while you're on aggressive paper.

actual polishing takes alot of effort.

[Curry]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

that's not the block that's the valvecover.

Thats what i meant lol. Im actually trying to just clean up whatever the hell i can overall in there so it looks decent.

Thanks for the tip tho im gonna try that out.

[Toysrme]

just take the valvecovers and the manifolds off & do it all at one time. otherwise it'll be real uneven

[Venom_5]

i need to paint my heat shield and valve cover

however my valve cover is filthy so i might have to sand it down as well

but i have the 4cyl, so it looks a bit different

[Curry]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

just take the valvecovers and the manifolds off & do it all at one time. otherwise it'll be real uneven

That cover on my exhaust manifolds, can i take that off and just cover it with heat wrap ? Will that help keep the temps in my engine bay down a little?

[WhiteRabbit]

looks good =)

[toyomoho]

Use aluminum oxide sand paper on aluminum to prevent corrosion or something like Alumina.

[Venom_5]

i would never use heat wrap ... ever

but thats just me

[Toysrme]

heat wrap is not a good idea.

[bigbird]

when u said polish the block i though u ment the heads and what-not.

[Curry]

Oh hell no... theres no way im up to that task.