Help! Repainting valve covers, need to know...

[hilthree]

What do I need to know before attemping to remove and repaint valve covers on my 85 L98?

What are the steps and tools required to remove the valve covers?

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[vetteboy86]

You can buy the stock type paint from mid america or corvette central. Taking the valve covers off isn't to big of a deal. If you aren't experienced just take your time. How do you plan on prepping the valve cover for repaint? Also, I don't think the emblems are available. At least 3 years ago when I was going to replace mine they were.

 

[Curious George]

What do I need to know before attemping to remove and repaint valve covers on my 85 L98?

What are the steps and tools required to remove the valve covers?

Thanks in advance for your response.

If you are repainting the original Magnesium valve covers because they are pitted and or flaking, then there are a few things you should do to ensure lasting results...

1. Strip the valve covers with "aircraft type" paint remover available from Advanced Discount Auto Parts in an aerosol can. This may require a second-third application to remove all of the OE paint.
2. After rinsing with water and dried thoroughly, use "acid etch" primer on the valve covers to lay a base for the paint. This primer is also available from Discount Auto. Let the primer dry for about an hour (depending on temperature and humidity)
3. If your valve covers are pitted or do not have the best finish on them, you can use "wrinkle" paint as a base. This will help hide imperfections on the valve covers. Once the wrinkle paint is dry (overnight - if you are going to apply OE paint over the wrinkle paint), you can use the OE paint and paint "over" the wrinkle paint to supply the final color. Hint: To get the maximum wrinkle effect, preheat your oven to 150-175* F. Use an old cookie sheet that your wife will not miss and immediately after painting each valve cover with wrinkle paint, put it into the oven. If you watch closely, you will be able to see the wrinkles appear, before your eyes, in a few minutes. (literally watching paint dry!) After about 10 minutes take out the valve cover, but do not touch the paint! It is still soft and will smear. Let the valve cover cool down slowly and cure (1 hour).

I painted mine with black wrinkle paint almost a year ago and they still look great and seem to be very resistant to heat and are durable.

As far as tools and taking them off, this is fairly standard and you should not need anything special. Just be careful putting your nice new covers back on.

CG

 

[hilthree]

Thanks guys for your responses. I'll take it all under advise. I also have the option of buying covers on Ebay (lot less work of course

By the way, what color were the original valve covers on an 85 L98? I have been told by some that they were black or gray.

 

[Schrade]

I bet they'd look great stripped to the metal and polished, without paint...

Get a half a dozen brass-bristle detail brushes (maybe $1.39 each), and abrasive cleanser. You'll probably have to do this anyway, and even if you don't like it, it's prepped to paint.

My .02

 

[Curious George]

Thanks guys for your responses. I'll take it all under advise. I also have the option of buying covers on Ebay (lot less work of course

By the way, what color were the original valve covers on an 85 L98? I have been told by some that they were black or gray.

On my '92, they were a pinkish / taupe color. Kinda fruity for a Corvette.

What fun is buying something when you can do it yourself? Quote from JFK: "We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..." If you can take the valve covers off, you can paint them too.

CG

 

[Curious George]

I bet they'd look great stripped to the metal and polished, without paint...

Get a half a dozen brass-bristle detail brushes (maybe $1.39 each), and abrasive cleanser. You'll probably have to do this anyway, and even if you don't like it, it's prepped to paint.

My .02

The Magnesium is pretty gnarly after you strip it. It would be very difficult to get a high luster finish without the proper equipment, but would probably look good for a while. "Uncoated", it oxidizes and pits quickly.

CG