Chrome Paint...any input?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Chrome Paint...any input?
Well I've pretty much given up on trying to polish my Mickey Thompson aluminum valve covers. I was wondering if anyone had any experience or input on chrome paint? I know VHT makes it, among many others, but I wondered just how "chromey" it actually looked? Don't bother suggesting that I actually get them chromed. I already looked in yellow pages and there is nobody that does that type of thing in my area. Plus it would probably cost more than what the valve covers are worth!
Dep
[Modified by Dep, 1:07 AM 11/2/2003]
Dep
[Modified by Dep, 1:07 AM 11/2/2003]
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 275
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From: Valdosta GA
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (Dep)
My suggestion.....get new valve covers. You will never get chrome paint to look like chrome. Try something imaginative. Something different. Just my .02 :flag
[Modified by greatgonzoglenn, 3:31 AM 11/2/2003]
[Modified by greatgonzoglenn, 3:31 AM 11/2/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (Dep)
Thought about powder coating them? Bet there is a member or 2 that might do it for ya cheap and you could match it to your eng paint. I have seen some people do this and it looks pretty nice.
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (Dep)
I've used the crhome paint on my front grilles and it came out great(I thought). Not chrome, but more like aluminum. No way that paint will ever be mistaken for chrome.
I also used the hi-temp silver paint on valve covers and it came out great too. Turned out to be not the look I was going for. Here's a couple pics:
Here's what I decide to use:
Here's one of the only pics where you can see a little of the lower front grille.
I also used the hi-temp silver paint on valve covers and it came out great too. Turned out to be not the look I was going for. Here's a couple pics:
Here's what I decide to use:
Here's one of the only pics where you can see a little of the lower front grille.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (Dep)
Dep,
GM makes an engine paint (see pic) that is as close to chrome as you can get in a spray bottle. I used it on the valve covers of my 1967 but it had too much lustre. So I re-did the job with the duller VHT paint on the right. But keep in mind that it is not chrome: it is not a perfect substitute for the real thing.
GM makes an engine paint (see pic) that is as close to chrome as you can get in a spray bottle. I used it on the valve covers of my 1967 but it had too much lustre. So I re-did the job with the duller VHT paint on the right. But keep in mind that it is not chrome: it is not a perfect substitute for the real thing.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Corinth Tx
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (paul67)
i would say get new ones from a mail order place like jegs or summit
or if you want to paint them use duplicolor 1200 degree paint and then back it on like poder coating if done right this stuff is very tough and very nice looking i would say it is as good as powder coating but it is quick and cheap
the best way to do it is clean your part very well and then bake for an hour or so at your highest temp. this will burn off anything that is still on there than pull it out let cool for awhile until the surface is about 150 or so than paint start with a mist and work up to full coverage once done let sit for 30 min and than bake again for 2hours at 500 this methoid is unbeatable for steal and cast iron part and will last and hold up agaist heat and wether
i did this with my diff cover about 18 months ago and you would swear it was alunium still today.
or if you want to paint them use duplicolor 1200 degree paint and then back it on like poder coating if done right this stuff is very tough and very nice looking i would say it is as good as powder coating but it is quick and cheap
the best way to do it is clean your part very well and then bake for an hour or so at your highest temp. this will burn off anything that is still on there than pull it out let cool for awhile until the surface is about 150 or so than paint start with a mist and work up to full coverage once done let sit for 30 min and than bake again for 2hours at 500 this methoid is unbeatable for steal and cast iron part and will last and hold up agaist heat and wether
i did this with my diff cover about 18 months ago and you would swear it was alunium still today.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (dewcustom)
Probably better to get new covers, but you could check your yellow pages for "Plating." Just another word for re-chroming. :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Chrome Paint...any input? (OHSIXX)
Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, "get new covers" isn't an option because M/T covers aren't made any more and I WANT my M/T covers. :)
Yellow pages under plating was the FIRST place I went. Only thing listed is for antiques. I'd hate to see what they charge for monstrous valve covers...IF they even do them! They do qualify as "antiques" though :D
I've seen aluminum paint on manifolds and it doesn't look too bad. That MAY be an option. I want to keep it more "silver" than dark gray though.
No way I'm painting the covers to match my car (white) or powdercoating or sandblasting them. I've seen both and my immediate reaction was YUCK!
1970Stingray: I LIKE the silver color of your valve covers! I would be happy if it came out like that. I have a can of aluminum paint I bought for a manifold. Maybe I'll shoot some on a test part and see what it looks like.
Otherwise I can use silver. Chrome was just a thought I had...I'm not locked into it. :)
Thanks again for all the replys and suggestions!! You gave me some great possibilities and that's what counts! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Dep
Yellow pages under plating was the FIRST place I went. Only thing listed is for antiques. I'd hate to see what they charge for monstrous valve covers...IF they even do them! They do qualify as "antiques" though :D
I've seen aluminum paint on manifolds and it doesn't look too bad. That MAY be an option. I want to keep it more "silver" than dark gray though.
No way I'm painting the covers to match my car (white) or powdercoating or sandblasting them. I've seen both and my immediate reaction was YUCK!
1970Stingray: I LIKE the silver color of your valve covers! I would be happy if it came out like that. I have a can of aluminum paint I bought for a manifold. Maybe I'll shoot some on a test part and see what it looks like.
Otherwise I can use silver. Chrome was just a thought I had...I'm not locked into it. :)
Thanks again for all the replys and suggestions!! You gave me some great possibilities and that's what counts! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Dep
