Should I go in the raw?
02-08-2005, 06:15 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Should I go in the raw?
I'm trying to figure out what to do with my aluminum valve covers and intake - I talked to a powder coating guy and he said that powercoating is not an option due to the heat - Jet Hot is mucho expensive and spray paint looks horrible after a week or so -
I was thinking about having them bead blasted and then just leaving them raw? Is this an option?
Thanks!
I was thinking about having them bead blasted and then just leaving them raw? Is this an option?
Thanks!
02-08-2005, 06:34 PM
#2
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Originally Posted by pjmonfre
I talked to a powder coating guy and he said that powercoating is not an option due to the heat
Thanks!
Thanks!
I've had powercoated valve covers on my car for 3 years now and they still look perfect. Not sure about the intake though. I think the heat required to cure the powercoat is way more heat then your motor will ever see under normal conditions. You could always ceramic coat the intake as well.
.
02-08-2005, 06:35 PM
#3
Thats what I did, I'm using some L-98 heads off an 89, I got the cast alum center bolt covers with them. They had some tan looking coating flaking off of them. Bead blasted them hand rubbed some polish on em and that was it. They have turned darker grey and show finger prints real bad, but overall I like the look. Check this thread, there is several before during and after pics the last one shows the alum covers.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=762283
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=762283
02-08-2005, 09:25 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by kcmk
Sigh...and to think, with a screenname like PJ, I was beginning to get excited! 
The question remains - do engine parts get too hot for powdercoating?
02-09-2005, 08:35 AM
#8
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My Weiand aluminum intake has been powdercoated for the last 4 years with no problems at all. Looks very good and is easy to keep clean. I had it coated clear and it sort of has a light grey look to it now.
02-09-2005, 08:57 AM
#9
My unpolished 69 aluminum valve covers were in terrible condition when I began my resto. I sent them to a guy in MD who specializes in Z-28 restorations and he "re skinned" them (put in a tank that tumbles them until all residue is removed). They look great and have held up well. I think it cost about $100 for the service and turn around was very quick.
Mark
Mark
02-09-2005, 11:59 AM
#10
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Some (most?) intake manifolds have an exhaust gas runner that flows exhaust under the carb to keep it warm. Most people looking for performance buy the intake gasket sets that block off the exhaust gas flow through the intake manifold. If you block off this exhaust gas, I don't think your intake manifold would get too hot for powder paint.
This is just a guess on my part. I think powder paint melts around 400 degrees. With no exhaust gas flow through the manifold, I wouldn't think it would get hotter than the radiator coolant temperature - say 220 degrees at the most. This should be OK for powder paint and high temp engine paint.
This is just a guess on my part. I think powder paint melts around 400 degrees. With no exhaust gas flow through the manifold, I wouldn't think it would get hotter than the radiator coolant temperature - say 220 degrees at the most. This should be OK for powder paint and high temp engine paint.