Just as the subject states....I have a set of polished valve covers that were painted with primer, and then painted...What can I dunk them in to get it off without hurting the aluminum finish underneath?

Soda blast?

One real good item is acetone but it's highly costic to the human environment/body/parts...eats flesh, lung capillaries and attacks the organs. If you have a decent vat you can place them in and have a super ventilation system or work outside making sure you have an acid apron, gloves, respirator, face mask and saftey glasses, etc etc...it WILL strip paint better than an industrical strength paint remover and like the cocain song "they say it'll kill you but they don't say when"! That and methyl ethyl ketone...


I forgot to mention, JASCO used to have an 'industrial strength' but as-mentioned it's strength might have deminished (considerably?) and there's no telling what/how it might effect the polished surface of valve covers?!

The normal paint removers at the local hardware stores have been on the weak side for awhile now. Figure multiple applications + some physical scrubbing to go with it. What helps is if you scotchbrite / lightly sand the gloss off first other wise the stuff just sits there and kinda fizzles out.

Benco B17 is what powder coating places use to remove old coatings. There are YouTube vids that show it in action and it's nasty + potent stuff so I think it would go thru most paints pretty easily.

Acetone definitely worked for me many years ago on a worn set of black wrinkle painted Cal Custom covers but they we're not polished underneath. I don't know if it would dull or discolor the polished surface. I did it outdoors with heavy rubber gloves and a face shield.

Brake fluid might work?

Sound like the easy & cheaper way to go.
Try it on a small area first to see.

Brake fluid won't harm anything. My dad use to soak his model rail cars in it to remove the paint.
Doug

This does work pretty well.

I did the opposite. I blasted a pair of polished Hemi rocker covers and painted them with black wrinkle paint.

My question to the OP would be: what's under the paint ?
Could be something there that renders the work of stripping a waste of time.
At the very least, I'd expect sanding scratches that will require re-polishing.
But maybe that's no big deal...

You might laugh but easy off oven cleaner works good especially if it is spray can paint , do not spray in the direct sun and keep on checking a small area first for a test

Some good ideas....The valve covers are from my Hemi and were nicely polished before paint. I want to powder coat them the same color, but the paint on them is shot from all the fuel and anti freeze on them. I figure powder coat will be the best...To holding up. Tired of all the finger prints and stuff.

Dot 3 brake fluid