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Anyone recently refinished their mag valve covers with product info. I did a search on this site and alot of the links and pics were no good because they were old.
That prekote from aircraft spruce is big $$$. I dont want to have alot tied up in valve covers, I would just buy new valve covers for $200 all day long. Isnt there some type of mag primer (etching) I could use.
i used chemical stripper and sanded down anything that remained. the castings are not perfect. i left my vc’s in the stripper for a while wrapped up in a bag. i used a cheap primer. then duplicolor aluminum, then a bottle of 2k clear.
realistically with paint and materials if u need to buy them u are at least $100 in materials
i recommnd heating them prior to painting to get any porosity to expulge contaminets. wipe down prior to painting
Those look very nice. How did you get the texture and which products(Primer and texture) did you use. I was thinking of a zinc primer like they use on aluminum but I think I need something that is heat resistant. Was the primer an etching primer?
The etching primer I used was left over... I believe it is what they reccomend on marine gear cases, Zinc based. As far as the paint it was a textured soapstone from krylon... I was trying to match the 84 VC texture which seems to be a little different than later cars. I then topped them with a high temp clear. They are so far holding up fine but I would probably have them powder coated next time around as that seems to be closer to what the factory finish was... I would also try and bake them clean after stripping. My first go at the primer didn't work well. There is a ton of porosity in them too that one could take the time to level and fill in... I personally left them alone because mine weren't horrible and the 84 air cleaner covers them up mostly.
I am planning the same down the road a bit. I was/am trying to find the replacement grommets for the drivers side PCV and the passenger side fresh air pipe.
Drivers side PCV replacement grommet for MY 1987 is supposed to be Dorman PCV Valve Grommet 42062, verified # by several vender websites. I have it in hand and it does have the correct diameter for the PCV fitting in the hole but have not tried it in the valve cover as mine has hardened. I do not want to risk the grommet breaking off and getting inside the valve cover yet.
Two years ago, I painted the valve covers, entire intake, alternator and brackets all with Acrylic Enamel, the same color as the exterior of the car. Of course, everything got a good coat of primer/sealer and it shines nicely. In two summers of use, I have not had a single problem with the paint. It was an easy job that I did over a long weekend. The blue is a small strip of blue LED's that I put under the plenum. No other car I've seen has that, and it gets plenty of good comments at the shows!
FYI: I was reading on the forums or watching a video and it talked about cleaning the valve covers with TSP before priming or painting. I was at the hardware store and looked at the back of the box of TSP and it says do NOT use on magnesium. Just a heads up for you guys if refinishing your covers. I will just use brake cleaner.
Two years ago, I painted the valve covers, entire intake, alternator and brackets all with Acrylic Enamel, the same color as the exterior of the car. Of course, everything got a good coat of primer/sealer and it shines nicely. In two summers of use, I have not had a single problem with the paint. It was an easy job that I did over a long weekend. The blue is a small strip of blue LED's that I put under the plenum. No other car I've seen has that, and it gets plenty of good comments at the shows!
I remember when u came on and showed that off. Personally i like it. Not sure the led strip would hold up on a weekend track car (melt?). I think its cool. Personally i think the TPI is the coolest looking intake manifold of all time. Im also partial to the LT5! But i think a CLEAN BRIGHT ALUMINUM TPI is an awesome intake.
Originally Posted by johnfin
FYI: I was reading on the forums or watching a video and it talked about cleaning the valve covers with TSP before priming or painting. I was at the hardware store and looked at the back of the box of TSP and it says do NOT use on magnesium. Just a heads up for you guys if refinishing your covers. I will just use brake cleaner.
interesting will u plan to wipe with isopropyl or paint right over the brake clean residue?
FYI: I was reading on the forums or watching a video and it talked about cleaning the valve covers with TSP before priming or painting. I was at the hardware store and looked at the back of the box of TSP and it says do NOT use on magnesium. Just a heads up for you guys if refinishing your covers. I will just use brake cleaner.
interesting - i was probably the first here to note using TSP as a cleaning prep for magnesium valve covers. can't remember where i read it, but it was noted as a painting prep. i'm more than curious about this, and will research it in detail. WORD OF CAUTION - DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, AND FOLLOW THE PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING TSP AS A CLEANING AGENT. .
not hard if you let the chemical stipper get the worst of it
