I almost have the valve covers stripped of the black paint. I started with a palm sander, and just worked at it. It really didn't take much time. But now that I have all of the large, flat surfaces cleaned off, I am down to the little nooks and crannies. So, now that I have most of it done, I decided to try paint stripper. Why I waited until now to try it, I don't know. I started spraying it on the little corners down one side of the valve cover, and then spun it around to the other side. By the time I had finished the second side, the first side was already bubbled up, and starting to come off. Jeez. This would have been a little bit easier...

Now I just need to get it finished, and decide whether I want to paint it, or polish it.