grit of sandpaper for valve cover??

[RedRocketGSR]

I got a 95 GSR about 3 weeks ago or so and the valve cover was already painted red but it looked like ass....so... i wanted to sand it down to the bare metal and polish it and everything because i think that looks really good. Anyone have any suggestions on what grit to start and finish with? Thanks for all the help.

[94civic]

use a 600 grit first then a 1000, then a 1500, then finish it off with a 2000 grit and use some metal polish to shine it up.

[RedRocketGSR]

Allright thanks. Do you think i should still start off with 600 grit because the valve cover is painted right now and i dont know if the 600 grit will remove the paint on it or not too....so does anyone have any suggestions on removing the paint off of it first and then starting with 600 grit? Thanks for the help.

[hondajigga]

the best thing for removing paint on an all metal component is aircraft paint remover. You can buy this at any wal-mart, pep-boys, etc. its in a blue can and runs about $8 if i remember right. Once you have the value cover removed(remove all the gaskets and plastic wire retainers), spray the whole thing with degreaser and hose it down. Let it dry and then spray the remover on(really cake it on the more the better). Wait like 20 minutes and you will see the paint bumble. Scrap the paint off with a flat head screwdriver or a putty knife. Rise it down again with water. Repeat if needed. It useually takes about 2-3 applications. Make sure the metal is dry before you apply(reapply) the paint remover.

If you want to polish it I would follow 94 civics instructions below but to really get it polished get a buffing wheel and aluminum polish to really make it shine. You will see streaks if you do it by hand. I have polished several value covers and its a task to make it look really good.