Permatex gasket remover, a razor blade, and a screw driver.

Those are interesting wheels, do tell more

 

Well I did find that carb cleaner soften it. After some careful scrapping I sprayed the surface and then ran the razor blade over it again and then wet a rag with the carb cleaner and, using my finger, scrubbed the surface with the rag. Seemed to be better than just dry scrapping with the razor blade as the last micro then layer of the RTV came up.

Any other suggestions will help the next guy. What a PITA that stuff is.

 

Well I did find that carb cleaner soften it. After some careful scrapping I sprayed the surface and then ran the razor blade over it again and then wet a rag with the carb cleaner and, using my finger, scrubbed the surface with the rag. Seemed to be better than just dry scrapping with the razor blade as the last micro thin layer of the RTV came up.

Any other suggestions will help the next guy. What a PITA that stuff is.

I've found that carb cleaner works as well as anything. I use generic "scotchbrite" pads along with the carb cleaner to get that last layer off. Most important thing is to follow up with brake cleaner to finish degreasing both surfaces before applying the RTV and reassembling. Any left-over RTV or oil film on either surface will create a weak spot that will eventually let oil start seeping through. You will then be tempted to over torque the bolts to try and stop the leak and end up deforming the cover or pan.

Regarding wire wheels, even if you use brass wheels you risk leaving scratches in the metal surface. The RTV will seal them, of course, but the next monkey to remove that cover or pan will curse you and your ancestors because they will have to get the RTV out of those scratches. Stick with composite wheels (post #2 above) or mild abrasive scotch-brite pads and wheels.

 

The wheels that I posted are 3M wheels that attach to a mount and can be used in any drill. The different colors represent different abrasiveness and they work very well.

 

Those things are AMAZING. We used them during my rebuild to clean up the pistons, deck, etc etc etc - anything too soft or risky to wire wheel, basically.

We never used then for the valve covers (Didn't think of it, actually) but the permatex gasket remover and the wire wheel on the grinder took care of that in short order.

 

I used the scotch brite round pads that mount to a auger, kinda the same thing as the wheels above, and come in Green, red, and brown for different abrasives.

 

I got some small wire wheels that go in the drill and worked really well. Odviously clean off the big stuff first with a razor

 

sealant removal

I use a razor blade for the removal on the flat surfaces, then a dental scraper called a carver for the channel. Before I had the dental tool, I used a ground down screw driver.