Peeling valve covers???

[Steve92LT1]

My 92 LT1 is having a peeling problem. The stock (magnesium type, NOT the plastic type) valve covers are peeling. The paint is peeling that is. It's peeling off in big chips and has black underneath. I want to make it look right and change the valve cover gaskets while I'm in there. What can I do? Strip it all off and repaint? But what is the proper color, because it's not a plain silver? What type of paint? Woud they need to be primed? I've painted valve covers before, but none like these..

I really would like to keep the stock type valve covers, but what hardware would need to be changed to use later plastic ones if I can't fix mine?

Thanks
Steve

 

[BigRed]

What you can do is remove the covers and have them sand blasted or buffed. Then have them hot tanked (Local engine shop)

This will remove 100% of the paint and oil's allowing you to re-prime and re-paint. Make sure you sand a little between coat you really want to make this paint stick. Also make sure you are using a high heat paint. Im my experience high heat clear coating is OK however with enough driving I found it yellows a little so I wouldn't bother with the Clear coat.

Hope that helps ya bud.

 

[Eagle85C4]

You can find the paint in the Mid America catalog.....

 

[Ken]

Eastwood Company also has some great paint.

_ken

 

[Steve92LT1]

Thanks for the info.. I found the paint. Is there a recommended primer for this material? What exactly are these covers made out of? Is there a way besides sandblasting, like an aircraft paint stripper?

Thanks again
Steve

 

[BigRed]

I would use a hardware means of removing the paint for the simple fact that you may not get it all with a solvent. If even a little is left behind the new paint will flake in that spot usually bigger than the spot you left grab other paint around it.

If I were you?

Grab your drill go down to your local hardware store and pickup a drill stem buffing wheel. (10 bucks??) Drill the living daylights out of it scoring the metal and removing and "unwants" . Now simply pickup some HIGH heat primer from you Auto parts store. (Trust me they have it).

The other guys are right BTW if your after the exact stock look buy the paint from Mid America,Ecklers or whatever. If not just pick up bright silver.

Heres a pic of my car. The reason for MY flaking is beacause my valve covers are SO burnt underneath nothing will adhere. (They are FRYED this paint job was a temporary measure until new covers are bought)

BTW WATCH out for silicone gasket material the paint will not adhere is ANY silicone pressence is there.

 

[BigRed]

This is the side with some flake

This is also just normal bright silver not Corvette paint. This is also clear coated. You may be able to see some yellow in the paint as a result.