PURPOSE: To form electroplating films of an Ni system on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical parts of plural Al alloy valve lifters arrayed in the axial direction of the cylinder at a uniform thickness by providing both ends of the Al alloy valve lifter bodies with dummy works and subjecting the valve lifter bodies to electroplating as a surface treatment.

CONSTITUTION: The cylindrical parts of the Al alloy valve lifter bodies 1a are internally provided with partition parts in a direction intersecting with the axis of the cylinder. One side thereof is formed as a crown surface part and the other as a skirt part. The plural valve lifter bodies 1a are arrayed in the axial direction of the cylinder and the bodies 1a at both ends are provided with the dummy works 10 at the time of subjecting such valve lifters to the surface treatment. The valve lifters are subjected to the electroplating as the surface treatment in this state. As a result, the electroplating films of the Ni films are formed at the uniform film thickness on the outer peripheral sides of the plural bodies 1a described above. These electroplating films are preferably the electroplating films of the composite Ni system dispersed with ceramic particles into the Ni-P system essentially consisting of Ni and contg. some P and having 5 to 50μm thickness.