What are my options for re-finishing my valve covers?

jerry S · Apr 7, 2005

I have these cobra valve covers. They are painted a crappy blue and I hate the color. Now my first instinct is to simply pull them and replace with something brand new but I am going to try something I have never tried before: restraint.

These are alum. I would not mind painting them black and leaving the "cobra" and "powered by ford" in a polished finish. Here are my questions

1. can the valve covers be powder coated except for the lettering?
2. can the valve covers be polished and clear coated and if so, would the clear coat withstand engine temps?
3. Can the covers be painted? If so, will the paint withstand the temps of the engine bay?
4. what about chroming them? is that a possibility?

347Fastback · Apr 7, 2005

I had mine done at a powder coating place... they came out great and I sold them with the car...

bnickel · Apr 7, 2005

1. yes
2. yes
3. yes
4. yes

all of the above are good options. you can get them looking stock again by simply painting them with wrinkle finish paint, or semi-gloss black for that matter. paint the whole thing then block sand the paint off the ribs/letter with a 600 grit paper. if you want the polished after that then use progressively finer paper up to about 1500 grit and polish with mothers

mfp4073 · Apr 7, 2005

you can buy the correct "crinkly paint" at places like discount auto or autozone...just strip the covers and repaint...getting the crinkle right takes a little work, but it will only cost$5....I have repainted mine several times. My techinque is to paint em then coe back 30 minutes later with a rag with a little laquor thinner on it. Just whipe off the raised areas.

jes72mustang · Apr 7, 2005

If you like the polished look you can also polish them and have the powder coated in clear. The options are pretty much only limited by your imagination and budget.

Pathfinder65 · Apr 7, 2005

I had a set of those bead blasted. They looked great just out of the bead blaster against a black '65 block.
Dave

allcarfan · Apr 7, 2005

jerry S said:
1. can the valve covers be powder coated except for the lettering?
yes, this can be done, but be prepared to pay a little more as more work would be involved.
2. can the valve covers be polished and clear coated and if so, would the clear coat withstand engine temps?
yes, they can be polished and clear coated. To clear them, you would want to use ZOOP Seal. Its pricey, but is very nice. If they are powdercoated clear, the clear will make them look wet, but it will dull the shine a little bit.
3. Can the covers be painted? If so, will the paint withstand the temps of the engine bay? Just get high heat paint or black wrinkle paint...they will be fine.
4. what about chroming them? is that a possibility?
Chroming them is a possibility. They will have to be thoroughly cleaned, blasted, and then coated in Phosphate(usually) first. Sometimes another solution is used since chrome will not stick to aluminum by itself. Getting them chromed will run between $125-$200 depending on the shop.

Hope that helps. I have some aluminum covers like that with no paint on them. I am powdercoating them chrome, along with my cobra air cleaner. Will post pics within the next few months. The chrome powdercoating will cost less than actual chrome and looks really good.

*I am not doing any powdercoating at this time.

jerry S · Apr 7, 2005

Many thanks to all y'alls for the suggestions. I think I will bead blast them, paint in crinkly black, and then polish the lettering. If I go too fancy, I risk paying more in finishing than I would pay to buy a new pair of polished alum or chromed alum Ford Racing valve covers, the avoidance of which is the entire point of my endeavor.

allcarfan · Apr 7, 2005

Get them glass bead blasted and then cleared.

They look great just like that. The glass beads will leave a semi-shiny finish on them and the clear will make them look as if they were dipped in polyurethane.

65ShelbyClone · Apr 7, 2005

jerry S said:
Many thanks to all y'alls for the suggestions. I think I will bead blast them, paint in crinkly black, and then polish the lettering.

The crinkle paint is a little more difficult to use, but following the instructions usually gives decent results(at least with Plasti-Kote). One thing crinkle paint does not like while its drying is cold temps. Spray and try to dry them between coats in a warm place(like 70-90 degrees). If they cure too slowly, youll end up with a saggy semi-gloss finish. After the paint is good and hard, you could use a block with 600-800 grit paper and wet sand the raised areas.

What are my options for re-finishing my valve covers?

jerry S

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