how do i clean this??, valve cover Options

[Malhar95]

since im rebuilding my engine...and waiting on the parts, i was thinking of painting my valve cover...but for that i have to clean it 1st.
I've tried a lot of engine degreaser, carborator cleaner and other fluids in my garage...
my question is, can i use water? like take it to a self car wash and presure wash it with water and soap?

this is what it is right now...



so can i use water to clean this up or what?
if nothing, can i just paint over it?
what paint should i use!

thank you!
also if you guys can help/suggest something on this forum


http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=74264

[njccmd2002]

wow found it, you owe me. after 30 mins

http://caswellplating.com/powder/s_stripper.html

those "separators" are called oil baffles, and yes, they do serve a purpose. some valve covers have rivited oil baffles while some have bolts. the ones with bolts are easy to remove, but the rivited ones can not be removed without retapping the holes and using bolts afterwords. IF YOU HAVE RIVITED OIL BAFFLES, DO NOT SAND BLAST OR USE ANY TYPE OF SOLID CLEANING/ABRASIVE MEDIA WHATSOEVER!!! if even one little glass bead or piece of sand remains in the oil baffles, it could mean the end of your expensive motor.

if yo uhave rivited oil baffles (like the dirty valve cover ^^^) be sure to use only chemicals. the link to the stripper i gave in my last post works flawlessly and effortless. it's a little pricey, but well worth it, you may also want a soft metal wire brush to aid in cleaning it.