Valve cover blasting/painting question

[n24tg]

Noobish question, but whatever.

When I sand blast the cover should I clean both sides? Then when I paint it should I paint both sides? I was going to use some engine block paint or similar high temp stuff.

[Robstah]

Just the outside. I guess you could blast the inside to clean it, I wouldn't recommend painting the inside though. After you blast it, you will notice that the casting sucked and you will probably have some nicks in it. If you are looking for perfection, you could always fill those nicks in with some bondo and sand it smooth. I question bondos ability against heat though.

[n24tg]

Thanks Rob. Thats what I figured, I just didn't want to screw anything up.

[Robstah]

Without a perfect bond, the paint starts to chip. Who knows what oil would do to the paint on the inside as well. I just wouldn't want paint chips floating through the motor.

I wonder if filling in the nicks with jb-weld and sanding that smooth would work better than the bondo...

[m3saloon]

I brought mine to the body shop at my work. I first hit it with a mild cookie angle grinder to smoothe out the crappy casting. then after maybe 2 coats of high temp primer it was wet sanded to smothe. then after 4-6 layers of high temp semi gloss black and some more wet sanding i came out with this as a result.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/Nooneyman/S7301462.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/Nooneyman/S7301465.jpg

It was actually almost perfect and i said "one more time" and F-ed it up with a run and crappy texture. so pissed.

[HyperMikeD]

Couple of suggestions...I would powdercoat it over painting it and if you sand blast it be sure and rinse,rinse,rinse and repeat. After coating mine I found ALOT of sand trapped in the oil baffle area of the cam cover. Really scary considering I almost installed it like that.

Cheers !
MikeD.

[m3saloon]

I also agree hyperMikeD about powder coat. and +1 on the sand in the baffel. its easly removed and cleaned.
Paint holds up just fine though. OLD picture but it was just Automotive paint and did not chip or anything for over a year.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/Nooneyman/1216062007.jpg

[5mall5nail5]

I always powder coat them. They're made of magnesium which oxidizes within minutes of blasting. Painting properly requires a gelcoat like what BMW uses from the factory. Stuff is yucky. Just powder coat it :)

[Matt]

I sandblasted McCoy's in the tin building (it was mine at the time, then he stole it) and spraybombed it with grill paint. Still looks good 2 years later. :dunno

[5mall5nail5]

It'll last for a while, but it will lift eventually.

[Matt]

No issues, bro. ;)

[5mall5nail5]

Good on you bro, but I powder coat them because I've seen what happens when they get even the slightest bit of moisture on them.

[Shuasha]

Just get it powder coated, shouldn't cost more than $80 and it will last a loooooong time. My buddy sprayed mine 2 years ago (normal paint) and ghosted an ///M in, upside down. :)

http://www.e-owned.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG_0782.JPG

[5mall5nail5]

W/// lol thats hot

[Shuasha]

W/// lol thats hot
Just like the keychains!

[5mall5nail5]

haha now I remember!

[n24tg]

Sand blasting is done and its definitely a crappy cast. Not that big of a deal though. I think I'm gonna hit it with some acetone then quickly spray some high temp paint. As nice as it would be to have it powder coated I can't justify spending more than $10 on it.

[Robstah]

I went crazy on mine back in the day. It's still holding up just fine with the high temp engine paint I used. Paint shouldn't be a problem.

[5mall5nail5]

Sand blasting is done and its definitely a crappy cast. Not that big of a deal though. I think I'm gonna hit it with some acetone then quickly spray some high temp paint. As nice as it would be to have it powder coated I can't justify spending more than $10 on it.

Yes the castings sure are crappy. I've got a few M50 covers that practically have holes in them near the #5 #6 coil area. Terrible.