Cleaning up the enigine bay - beginner

[StinkyCheese]

I noticed my valve cover is leaking, so I'm going to replace the gasket. While I have the cover off, I'd like to polish it or paint it. First of all, if I decide to go "original", how do I get there? I assume there's some chemical you use to treat aluminum (its aluminum, right?), if you have experience with a good one, please educate me.

I'm also contemplating going with a flat black and leaving the lettering shiny. Or a powder coat black. If I go that direction, is it just a matter of sandblasting and painting? How do I polish the lettering so its shiny?

I searched the site but couldn't find anything. Maybe I suck at searching - has this been written up before? I used to paint cars 20 years ago, but it was always body parts. I searched google, but I'd like to know how a Z person did it...

[motorman7]

Personally, I copied Diseazd's idea of bead blasting the cover and putting a light coat of high temp spray clear enamel over it. It looks sweet.

Rich

[d240zx2]

In my view, you cannot beat polished aluminum valve covers. Professionally done, you'll pay ~$125. But you can do it yourself in a few hours and a jug of Mother's. Paint or powder coating (unless you can match body paint exactly) will be garish.

Again, just my opinion...

[StinkyCheese]

In my view, you cannot beat polished aluminum valve covers. Professionally done, you'll pay ~$125. But you can do it yourself in a few hours and a jug of Mother's. Paint or powder coating (unless you can match body paint exactly) will be garish.

Yeah, I'm leaning that way, too, unless you commit and do the whole engine bay that way. I've seen some sweet flat-black engines/bays.

I'll probably do mine as polished aluminum so it looks right with the rest of the engine.

[StinkyCheese]

Personally, I copied Diseazd's idea of bead blasting the cover and putting a light coat of high temp spray clear enamel over it. It looks sweet.

Is this written up somewhere?

[esprist]

I noticed my valve cover is leaking, so I'm going to replace the gasket. While I have the cover off, I'd like to polish it or paint it. First of all, if I decide to go "original", how do I get there? I assume there's some chemical you use to treat aluminum (its aluminum, right?), if you have experience with a good one, please educate me.

I'm also contemplating going with a flat black and leaving the lettering shiny. Or a powder coat black. If I go that direction, is it just a matter of sandblasting and painting? How do I polish the lettering so its shiny?

I searched the site but couldn't find anything. Maybe I suck at searching - has this been written up before? I used to paint cars 20 years ago, but it was always body parts. I searched google, but I'd like to know how a Z person did it...

OK, I can assist you with this topic.

1. Remove any overspay from parts.

2. Clean the parts (Sand Blast is prefered) and then replate or paint.

3. Replace nuts and bolts with correct washers.

This will refresh your engine bay! These are "before" pictures.

[esprist]

Here is pictures of "after"

I did this for a friend of mine with tight budget.

Suprisingly, we only used spray cans: Silver, gold, black.:laugh:

Good luck!

[motorman7]

Is this written up somewhere?

I guess not in detail. I took my valve cover to the machine shop and had them bead blast the exterior. I think it was just $30 - $40. Make sure you clean it well when you get it back. Blast with air and rinse with paint thinner or similar. Put two light mist coats of clear high temp engine enamel over the cover to make it easyto clean. Otherwise it will hold onto finger prints and dirt.

[Travel'n Man]

Buy the best degreaser you can find before you paint.....you'll be glad you did. Get some wet/dry sand paper and work on your valve cover - it may take you a while but if you want a highly polished shine - thats the way to do it (of course it helps if you have a air compressor and some red polish clay)!

Edited March 27, 2011 by Travel'n Man

[onuthin]

do you know what type of beads they used ?

[StinkyCheese]

What's the difference between sand blasting and bead blasting? I know its sand intead of glass beads, but how does it affect the finished product?

Also, I don't own a sandblaster...

Get some wet/dry sand paper and work on your valve cover - it may take you a while but if you want a highly polished shine - thats the way to do it (of course it helps if you have a air compressor and some red polish clay)!

Man, that sounds like real work! Won't you be able to see the sanding marks?

[5thhorsemann]

Hay cheese, before you go with any of the aformentioned suggestions, try this cheap way out.

Go to the auto parts store or home depot and get a spray can of TALSTRIP. It is used by the avation industry to remove old finishes from aircraft prior to repaint. Spray it on and watch the paint wrinckle up. then wash it away with a hose or pressure washer (prefered). Then you can polish or paint as you wish. this stuff works super fast with outstanding results. Tips 1) apply evenly 2) out of direct sunlight 3) OUTSIDE and away from any other painted surfaces! 4)do not allow it to dry out, hover over the part and re apply to dry spots and areas that do not release.

here is the link to this wonderful stuff

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=K438JQ8HL0gsS38K155C5Rgl0QG10STHM0bl

Good luck!

Edited March 27, 2011 by 5thhorsemann