Valve cover refinishing

[Mart]

Has anybody found any matching paint for the valve covers on an 86.

I would just like to refinish them to original, aside from the usual ecklers and CC where else could one get the paint.

Any articles on refinishing them would be good too.

Mart

 

[c4cruiser]

The valve cover paint from the various catalogs is a really good match for the factory color. It's pricey, but IMHO, worth it if you want the correct color.

An alternative to the OEM color might be using black paint or maybe using body color on them and also on other parts like the intake runners. If you're redoing the entire engine compartment, you might want to try using body color on some engine parts as part of the project.

An auto painting supply shop should be able to make a spray can with body color.

You can clean the valve covers with hot soapy water and a soft crub brush. If the emblem is in bad shape and you intend to replace it, take them to a engine shop and have them cleaned in a hot tank for aluminum parts.

 

[corvette66]

...

Just when you think you have all the oil, grease, and grime off.... scrub em again. I painted mine red not too long ago. Had them all preped and ready (or so i thought) after painting them, all the paint started to get bubbly, and ooozy looking. Had to strip em again.

 

[Vette_Newb]

I had to take mine all the way to the bare metal to make the paint look right.

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I removed my covers from the engine, sandblasted them down to the bare metal using "black beauty" . I left them rough so they would resemble the original texture. I then primed them with a wash primer and painted them with the paint that MidAmerica sells. It was a good match. The paint has lasted over 6 years, I just touched them up this year for the first time. One can of paint is enough to do 2 covers with enough left over for a few quick touchup. I have some pictures I could email anyone interested, they were too big to post here.

 

[paintdaddy]

another good match is eastwoods detail gray.I used it on mine and it holds up well.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=10036+Z&I1.x=20&I1.y=61

 

[Mart]

Hey Car whisperer, post those pics I woul dlove to see them, I am doing mine right now and when I stripped them the finnish is smooth, how do you get that rough finish back.


Mart

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I got the rough finish by using a course sandblasting media like "Black Beauty".

 

[plumcrazy]

got valve cover paint from www.corvettecentral.com
havent used it yet but will be as soon as she get home
form the body shop. i believe the color of the paint is nickel

 

[Mart]

I got the rough finish by using a course sandblasting media like "Black Beauty".

How did you use it??

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I used the black beauty media in a sand blasting cabinet.