Oxidation on Aluminum Valve cover

[ALS]

I have a 97 Volvo 960 and when I bought it the dealer had the car detailed before it was delivered (Feb 05). The engine compartment was also detailed and it looked like the day the car was delivered new. I don't have the faintest idea what they used but there is oxidation occurring on the aluminum Valve cover. I have seen cars with 150K miles on them that don't have this problem yet my 68K mile unit has it happening.
What can I use to get rid of it with out damaging the cover?
It isn't a polished cover more like a brushed look if that helps.

 

[kenw]

would seem like a buffing wheel on a drill would polish it up adequately but I've never tried it myself.

once you clean it an overcoat of clear Krylon will seal it from future oxidation at least for awhile.

 

[penzdude]

try the never dull wadding. works like a charm.

 

[onequick99si]

Yes go onto ebay and buy the polishing ball with flitz it will clean it up nicely, and a lot of detail shops use a very diluted acid based cleaner that simple green and other cleaner simply cannot touch when it come to getting a dirty engine clean!!

Don

 

[Kestas]

Wenol metal polish.

They must've used an alkaline degreaser like Castrol Super Clean without proper rinsing or neutralizing to start the corrosion. Aluminum doesn't like alkaline chemicals.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kestas:
Aluminum doesn't like alkaline chemicals.

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Aluminum -loves- alkaline chemicals, that's the problem