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I’ve recently restored a pair of magnesium valve covers. My car is 1991 tpi but these are an older version with perimeter bolts because I have new aftermarket cylinder heads. Instead of painting them I wanted to give it a try and nickel plate them after polishing them. Hopefully, this method gives them good corrosion protection.
I had some trouble plating them. On the top cover in the picture the coat was scratching easily and I thought of reversing polarity. This induced a bit of oxidation but the layer got hard and smooth. Then with the second one the layer was hard from start but a bit coarse and tried the same thing, reversing polarity. I got oxidation again and slightly smoother finish. Another option is anodizing but may be harder to find the chemicals needed
I’ve recently restored a pair of magnesium valve covers. My car is 1991 tpi but these are an older version with perimeter bolts because I have new aftermarket cylinder heads. Instead of painting them I wanted to give it a try and nickel plate them after polishing them. Hopefully, this method gives them good corrosion protection.
I had some trouble plating them. On the top cover in the picture the coat was scratching easily and I thought of reversing polarity. This induced a bit of oxidation but the layer got hard and smooth. Then with the second one the layer was hard from start but a bit coarse and tried the same thing, reversing polarity. I got oxidation again and slightly smoother finish. Another option is anodizing but may be harder to find the chemicals needed
polished mine. lots of imperfection in these valve covers. I would paint them if there was matching paint to original
magnesium valve covers
