C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Why?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 02:18 PM
  #1  
nutter C1's Avatar
nutter C1
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 12
From: Nevis, MN
Default Why?

Tell me why you guys paint the aluminum covers with silver paint.....

I'm sorry, but nothing looks like aluminum but bare aluminum.

Is it to avoid cleaning them every once in a while, or?

I have had them on a '60, a '63, and a '69. And I have purchased new over the parts counter for other Chevys. None of them had previous paint on them.

Or am I wrong, did the factory ever paint them????

Does painted covers reduce points in judgeing?

I just use bare metal mag wheel cleaner to clean them up once a year.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 02:20 PM
  #2  
GTOguy's Avatar
GTOguy
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Default

What covers are you talking about?
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 02:32 PM
  #3  
nutter C1's Avatar
nutter C1
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 12
From: Nevis, MN
Default

valve covers
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 02:42 PM
  #4  
Mike Terry's Avatar
Mike Terry
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 269
From: Greenwood In.
Default

I do not paint Valve Covers but some people paint them Black or another color. I can not say that I have ever seen anyone ever paint Aluminum Valve Covers with Aluminum paint. If nothing else have them buffed or just polished. Nothing looks better then polished Aluminum Valve Covers.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 03:04 PM
  #5  
warrenmj's Avatar
warrenmj
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 2,220
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I don't know anyone that paints their aluminum valve covers.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 03:06 PM
  #6  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Default

Uh! You do actually if you count forum acquaintances...

I would rather make slightly beat up originals look a bit better with Alumi-Blast than have them reskinned which is OK but still doesn't look exactly original...

And i certainly am not buying repros...

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 28, 2017 at 03:07 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 03:21 PM
  #7  
provette67's Avatar
provette67
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 771
From: Kirtland Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I would rather make slightly beat up originals look a bit better with Alumi-Blast than have them reskinned which is OK but still doesn't look exactly original...

And i certainly am not buying repros...
And the reskinned covers that I have seen look like they were sprayed with a slight texture aluminum paint.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 03:51 PM
  #8  
Easy Rhino's Avatar
Easy Rhino
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photoriffic
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,838
Likes: 2,410
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Default Don't wish to be contrary, but

What does it matter what someone does to theirs? Or more to the point - why would it bother you ( unless they did it to yours?)

i might just just say it differently - like "I don't really care for . . .

YMMV
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 05:25 PM
  #9  
MikeM's Avatar
MikeM
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Default

I think if you have an older set that are stained or otherwise won't clean up, from what I've seen, the silver paint looks far more original than the re-skinned covers.

I like natural myself, even if they are a little stained.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 06:19 PM
  #10  
c2performance's Avatar
c2performance
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 601
Likes: 88
Default why

On the reskinned valve covers does the new skin ever start peeling off???
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 06:24 PM
  #11  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Default

Reskinned is a misnomer....although the pros won't tell you how they do it, its some kind of process (shot peening or something) that tries to replicate the original raw aluminum look, having said that there is no real 'skin' added. Jerry MacNeish and others are the best at this job...

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 28, 2017 at 06:25 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 06:26 PM
  #12  
stratplus's Avatar
stratplus
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 37
Default

Yep, I put paint on my valve covers and proud of it. Take that NCRS
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 06:46 PM
  #13  
Easy Rhino's Avatar
Easy Rhino
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photoriffic
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,838
Likes: 2,410
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Default

Originally Posted by stratplus
Yep, I put paint on my valve covers and proud of it. Take that NCRS
That's not my thing, but whoever did that did a good job, and they look good.

It almost replicates the neon-lighted stainless steel diner look of a bygone era. It works.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 07:00 PM
  #14  
DansYellow66's Avatar
DansYellow66
Race Director
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,721
Likes: 3,706
From: Central Arkansas
Default

I had Jerry MacNeish refinish this manifold and thought it looked excellent. Not exactly sure of his process either but I would not expect it to peel or flake - seems quite natural although certainly new in appearance and not vintage.


Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 09:08 PM
  #15  
Rusler John's Avatar
Rusler John
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 57
From: Halcottsville NY
Default

Back in the day, I painted mine with black wrinkle paint and cleaned and polished the ribs and lettering. Looked cool at the time.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 09:27 PM
  #16  
skeew's Avatar
skeew
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 13
Default

like *****..what difference does it make
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 09:33 PM
  #17  
GUSTO14's Avatar
GUSTO14
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Default

Originally Posted by DansYellow66
I had Jerry MacNeish refinish this manifold and thought it looked excellent. Not exactly sure of his process either but I would not expect it to peel or flake - seems quite natural although certainly new in appearance and not vintage.

Very nice looking "big block" manifold!!!

GUSTO
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Why?

Old Feb 28, 2017 | 09:48 PM
  #18  
6D2148's Avatar
6D2148
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 290
From: Limerick Pa, Saint James City Fl
Default



How about this?
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2017 | 10:06 PM
  #19  
TCracingCA's Avatar
TCracingCA
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,369
Likes: 2,085
From: California
Default

With the variety of finish clear coats (flat, Matt, semi gloss, gloss) I would blast them or use your preferred method and to keep them from staining, shoot a protective coating!

Last edited by TCracingCA; Feb 28, 2017 at 10:06 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2017 | 12:31 AM
  #20  
rayvaflav's Avatar
rayvaflav
Le Mans Master
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 1,198
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Default

My '66's 350hp aluminum valve covers have been polished, which is incorrect, which also looks fantastic.

Ray
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:01 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE