VHT paint vs powdercoating
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
VHT paint vs powdercoating
Time to do my manifold and TB. I'm leaning toward black. With everything else polished (runners, plenum, fuel rails, injectors, and valve covers), having a black background might help it POP.
Powdercoating is obviously reasonably priced, but shipping to/from isn't as great. I'm considering VHT (very high temp) engine paint.
It's my understanding that the primer is supposed to be self-etching. And, that's it's recommended as prep. Followed by a color and possibly a couple of layers of clear should end up looking nice -- if I can get it durable enough.
Since it's high-temp paint anyway, I was considering putting the intake base and TB in the oven and baking around 250-300 degrees for 10-20 minutes. The stuff is supposed to be good to 500 degrees so my hope is baking would cure/harden it before installation.
Dumb idea?
Does the TB have any internal parts (like rubber) that it would hurt. (Obviously have the IAC/TPS off the unit.)
Powdercoating is obviously reasonably priced, but shipping to/from isn't as great. I'm considering VHT (very high temp) engine paint.
It's my understanding that the primer is supposed to be self-etching. And, that's it's recommended as prep. Followed by a color and possibly a couple of layers of clear should end up looking nice -- if I can get it durable enough.
Since it's high-temp paint anyway, I was considering putting the intake base and TB in the oven and baking around 250-300 degrees for 10-20 minutes. The stuff is supposed to be good to 500 degrees so my hope is baking would cure/harden it before installation.
Dumb idea?
Does the TB have any internal parts (like rubber) that it would hurt. (Obviously have the IAC/TPS off the unit.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I went a little crazy with the BLK paint on mine but I think it still "pops" anyway. I media blasted, painted, sanded/polished and then clear coated (VHT) the entire valve covers on the engine you see below...already the clear coat with on the valve covers is turning yellowish over the polish job on part of the covers after just about 2 months....from the heat I guess. It doesn't look that bad yet....but it is going yellow for whatever reason. I didn't use any primer just the paint and it stuck well after leaving the parts in the "hot" Florida sun for a few days. Do not "cook" the TB it has plastic sleeves on the linkage which hold/load the TB return springs.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
I used the VHT paint and oven method on my exhaust manifolds and it worked great. My intake and plenum are painted black with VHT, but I did those cold and they still look good, no deteriorization after 2 years. Doing these in the oven would only increase the durability. I think the trick is to not put on too many coats or lay it on too heavily. I think the instructions on the can say that, also. When I am done detailing my engine compartment, I am gonna post some pics. Of course, powdercoating looks awesome.
