Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 325
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Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers.
I have to paint these parts and I want them to look just like they came new from the factory. Has anyone done this job and what paint did you use, how well did it turn out, etc. I have never had much luck with spray painting things, does'nt seem to matter how I prep the surface, it will peel with in a year :mad. Because I really want this done right I had thought of taking them to a auto paint shop but I need to find the paint code # that was used. Thanks. :cheers:
[Modified by djpearn, 4:09 PM 3/2/2002]
[Modified by djpearn, 4:09 PM 3/2/2002]
Le Mans Master
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From: Chandler AZ
Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (djpearn)
I have to paint these parts and I want them to look just like they came new from the factory. Has anyone done this job and what paint did you use, how well did it turn out, etc. I have never had much luck with spray painting things, does'nt seem to matter how I prep the surface, it will peel with in a year :mad. Because I really want this done right I had thought of taking them to a auto paint shop but I need to find the paint code # that was used. Thanks. :cheers:
Runners and plenum, as far as I know, were bare aluminum from the factory. Not sure what EXACT color the valvecovers are suppoed to be but there are several silvers out there that will closely match. I had my plenum, runners, and valvecovers all powdercoated Class A Silver. To me the color is close enough...:)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
The plenum and runners are bare aluminum. The valve covers are a sort of blend between silver & magnesium color. Keep in mind the valve covers are in fact made out of magnesium, so be careful if you do any work to them. Mg burns BRIGHT! :D
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
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Re: (scorp508)
Ok, just so I understand correctly, the runners and plenum were never painted or coated with "anything" from the factory, just bare aluminium, but the valve covers were painted/coated and thats why they turn a brownish colour after time or is it just a reaction/oxidization of the magnesium with the fumes and heat under the hood.
What I am trying to do is keep things in good original condition, but if I go painting things that never started out that way then I will probably end up with a big mess. My runners are both dented due to work by the PO :mad so I figured if I picked up a undamaged set I would just paint the whole lot.
Murphys Law has a special interest in ALL my projects :rolleyes:
[Modified by djpearn, 9:22 AM 3/4/2002]
What I am trying to do is keep things in good original condition, but if I go painting things that never started out that way then I will probably end up with a big mess. My runners are both dented due to work by the PO :mad so I figured if I picked up a undamaged set I would just paint the whole lot.
Murphys Law has a special interest in ALL my projects :rolleyes:
[Modified by djpearn, 9:22 AM 3/4/2002]
Team Owner
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From: Boston, MA
but the valve covers were painted/coated and thats why they turn a brownish colour after time or is it just a reaction/oxidization of the magnesium with the fumes and heat under the hood.
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Re: (djpearn)
correct that the intake was bare aluminum from the factory....
I had mine all apart and wanted to paint the valve covers since they were the rusty color. I painted the whole intake with the valve cover paint that mid america sells and I think it looks great. see for yourself:
Before:
After:
This was done over Thanksgiving weekend and it still looks great. I drive the car everyday, rain or shine so it gets dirty under there. Washes right off and cleans up nice!
I had mine all apart and wanted to paint the valve covers since they were the rusty color. I painted the whole intake with the valve cover paint that mid america sells and I think it looks great. see for yourself:
Before:
After:
This was done over Thanksgiving weekend and it still looks great. I drive the car everyday, rain or shine so it gets dirty under there. Washes right off and cleans up nice!
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From: Framingham MA
Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (tzzzn2)
Unless MAD has changed their paint formula, I don't think it matches perfectly. When I painted my stock one with the MAD paint it seemed to silver, I bought a brand new set of valve covers and the paint didn't match.
[Modified by dgoodhue, 10:10 AM 3/4/2002]
[Modified by dgoodhue, 10:10 AM 3/4/2002]
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Re: (djpearn)
the plenum and runners are bare aluminum. when i did a cosmetic restro on my engine compartment, i disassembled the runners/plenum from the intake, cleaned, degreased, (glass) bead blasted ,and coated with a (clear) chem-film solution (either 3M or DuPont - ???), and reassembled. the valve covers were repainted using mid america's valve cover spray. the chem film protects the bare aluminum from the elements. it soakes into the pores of the aluminum, and doesn't show any signs being coated. after five years, no signs of aluminum oxidation on the aluminum parts. i also did the smog pump, alternator, and mounting brackets.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
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Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (djpearn)
A BIG THANKS for all the responses and pics. This makes the project much easier knowing the outcome wont be as crappy as I thought. All the cars look :cool:. Can't wait till mine looks that good. Now all I have to do is wait for better weather (and get a set of undamaged runners). :cheers: to all.
Le Mans Master
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From: Chandler AZ
Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (Ron78Z&85Vette)
Bill...The powdercoating looks good. About how much did it run you?
Burning Brakes
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From: Columbia MD
Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (billreid1@***.net)
Runners and plenum, as far as I know, were bare aluminum from the factory. Not sure what EXACT color the valvecovers are suppoed to be but there are several silvers out there that will closely match. I had my plenum, runners, and valvecovers all powdercoated Class A Silver. To me the color is close enough...:)
[Modified by LWesthaver, 8:55 PM 3/4/2002]
Drifting
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Re: Paint code # for 85 runners, plenum & valve covers. (LWesthaver)
Actually the valve covers were not painted, it was more along the lines of a plating process that was used on them. This is why the turn brown if the wrong cleaners were used on them. The plating reacts to degreaser etc and then turns to the rust color. The plating is very hard to get off, all who have tried blasting them no what I mean. You can use a cleaner like purple cleaner or simple green to clean the covers, then carefully dry them and paint them. You don't have to buy any special spray paints from MAD or anything, just get some cast aluminum paint. Make sure it is cast aluminum and not aluminum or else they will look like fake chrome. It is easy to do, just remember once you have painted them you will not be able to degrease, like with purple cleaner your engine. It will streak the covers. As far as the TPI unit itself, go to your local autoparts store and buy some aluminum wheel etching acid cleaner. This will make it look brand new, just make sure you wear gloves when you do this.
