Valve Cover 1985 paint or replace?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Valve Cover 1985 paint or replace?
My 1985 needs the valve covers repainted and have, I think 3 options:
1. Repaint (spray can)
2. Repaint (powder coat)
3. Replace with aftermarket valve covers
Was wondering what other owners have done with the stock magnesium valve covers? Recommendations?
Thanks !!!!
1. Repaint (spray can)
2. Repaint (powder coat)
3. Replace with aftermarket valve covers
Was wondering what other owners have done with the stock magnesium valve covers? Recommendations?
Thanks !!!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I had mine powder coated. I did it because the paint appeared to be chipped and peeling. It turned out that the defects were in the castings (they are TERRIBLE!).
Something to watch for: my powder coater told me they use molten salt to strip the paint off and magnesium will burn at the temperatures they use. You have to have the old paint stripped off chemically. I had to pay extra for that.
You might want to massage the valve covers after stripping off the paint. As I said earlier, the castings are pretty bad.
Something to watch for: my powder coater told me they use molten salt to strip the paint off and magnesium will burn at the temperatures they use. You have to have the old paint stripped off chemically. I had to pay extra for that.
You might want to massage the valve covers after stripping off the paint. As I said earlier, the castings are pretty bad.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
On my '86 Coupe I removed them, cleaned them thoroughly and repainted them with a can of spray paint from Mid America. They came out reasonably well and look as good as when new. The paint holds up well as I have cleaned them several times since.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
I had mine powder coated, but had to spend 2 hours on each one with a palm sander and paper before the powdercoater would do them, the magnesium has a terrible orange peel finish, the powdercoated finish is very tough and keeps its shiny colour for years.
I have just put fabricated alloy ones on my new engine, mainly to clear the roller rockers.
I have just put fabricated alloy ones on my new engine, mainly to clear the roller rockers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I had a couple different aftermarket covers on mine and they were okay but the stock ones were made to go with the top of my Edelbrock intake so I went back to stock. I painted them wit ha rattle can and they are scuffing when ever something touches them so I am going to take them back off & either have them powdercoated or I am looking strongly at POR-15 paint.[IMG]
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: lincoln ri
Just painted mine with the aforementioned rattle can, and they are 'okay'. Certainly a lot better than they were, and added a new emblem also. The casting is horrible, so don't expect to much from your work, but believe me it will be an improvement!!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas Nevada
2nd!!! My god it's beautiful!!!
Anyways, I ended up repainting mine with VHT high-temp engine enamel from an auto parts store. The color I ordered was dark grey to match the silver plenum I painted, but after layering it on a few times the color came out slightly green because I didn't fully strip the gold paint.
Do it right and get replacements.
Another magnesium set or aftermarket.
Anyways, I ended up repainting mine with VHT high-temp engine enamel from an auto parts store. The color I ordered was dark grey to match the silver plenum I painted, but after layering it on a few times the color came out slightly green because I didn't fully strip the gold paint.
Do it right and get replacements.
Another magnesium set or aftermarket.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Be real careful with the finned covers, I had a set just like those and I was snugging down the bolts and one of them cracked right up the center of the cover from the pcv hole through two bolt holes. And no I did not over tighten them.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: napa ca
I had mine powder coated, but had to spend 2 hours on each one with a palm sander and paper before the powdercoater would do them, the magnesium has a terrible orange peel finish, the powdercoated finish is very tough and keeps its shiny colour for years.
I have just put fabricated alloy ones on my new engine, mainly to clear the roller rockers.
I have just put fabricated alloy ones on my new engine, mainly to clear the roller rockers.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 3
From: Murphy NC
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
Oh, you mean this brake booster ?? 
decided to remove the exhaust wrap on my headers, and found out that plastic boosters dont like long tube headers, they are closer together on a right hand conversion !!
decided to remove the exhaust wrap on my headers, and found out that plastic boosters dont like long tube headers, they are closer together on a right hand conversion !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 818
Likes: 29
From: Nashua NH
Curious, what did you use to "glue" your new emblem on with? Anything special?