L81 Valve Cover Refinish

[Tom Bryant]

Has anyone refinished their magnesium valve covers? The black is bubbling on mine along the rails and between the fins. Since they are off for new Super Seal gaskets I might as well refinish them. The original finish looks like power coat.

Tom

 

[6880 Mike]

Originals will not be powder coated.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I didn't think so either but they have that look. It's a low gloss black. Doesn't seem to have any type of primer.

Tom

 

[jj_long81]

I posted some pics of mine a couple years ago. I finished them with urethane powdercoat. black and the fins were silver. the magnesium casting is ugly and the edges are bad but that's how they are. also did intake manifold headers heat shields and misc hardware as I had the top end apart. oh the belt sander and green plate were used to square cut the edges. ive heard of magnesium catching fire during sanding or grinding but I had no issues.

 

[Tom Bryant]

They look real nice. I'm going to test some PlastiKote low gloss black engine paint to see if the finish looks right before going the powder coat route.

 

[jj_long81]

the best match ive found is a can of painters touch semi gloss black. the blue and white can with an old wood stove on it. if I cant find the can but if I do ill post the number. its not stove paint just the right sheen. I found it at walmart. the color is like a master cylinder on most motorcycles. it really is perfect. but so is the powder from caswell cat black urethane. they also have silver urethane. cant beat those either. post some pics when you are done.