Anyone ever have valve covers powder coated?

[IT Cowboy]

I am thinking I would like to have my valve covers powder coated orange - but they are aluminum. I think that can be done but I dont know if that is too much heat and would mess them up.

I would get stock steel orange ones but everyone says those are more prone to warping and leaking.

[Sheepdip]

Factory tin valve covers would be a no-go for me, Aluminum I believe goes thru an extra step or two to powder coat but can be coated.

[LS short box]

Powder coat loves a sand blasted surface. I would check with the powder shop you like and see what high temp orange they can supply without costing an arm and leg for special powder.

[IT Cowboy]

I had a set of polished Jeep wheels clear powder coated and they came out great and never needed polished again.

[jocko]

one thing to consider is the powder coat doesn't always necessarily match the engine paint exactly. lotsa folks poo poo the original valve covers because they are prone to oil leaks. I'd submit we humans are prone to way over-tightening the valve cover bolts (Lord knows I have at times). Anyway, just wanted to mention the potential color matching issue - could be perfect or could cause some disappointment. Cast aluminum valve covers help eliminate some of the over-tightening oil leak worries as they are less prone to being bent, but a straightened stock valve cover and taking care to not overtighten the bolts can be leak-free.

[Casper42]

sounds like an odd thing to do, and waste of money. Powdercoating is for durability; there's zero reason for paint durability to valve covers.

[JohnC67]

I did valve covers for my Chevelle and had some powder left over so did my C10 valve covers. Used the HF gun. Blasted them in a benchtop cabinet and cooked in an oven I bought on CL for $20. Not necessary but I already had all the stuff. Also did a couple of my AC brackets. (I’ll be getting rid of the plastic fuel filter)

['68OrangeSunshine]

Not an expert at powder coating at all, but I remember a company that sold pre-powder coated Valve covers, Timing covers, Lifter covers, etc. They didn't offer Chevy Engine Orange. Someone enquired why? They said they could not warranty that the Orange would not turn brown under engine heat over time.

[Steeveedee]

^ Kind of strange, when the powder coat baking temp is above the temp any engine sheet metal part should ever see.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

^ Kind of strange, when the powder coat baking temp is above the temp any engine sheet metal part should ever see.

Yeah. IDK. Maybe, With the technology of the day their Orange just turned brown on initial firing. Strange because I have some enameled steel coffee cups in that hue Orange, but that might be a different process.
As initially stated, I am in no way to be mistaken for a Powder Coating Expert.

For my money, VHT Chevy Engine Orange enamel works fine and lasts a long time, and is much less expensive.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Yeah. IDK. Maybe, With the technology of the day their Orange just turned brown on initial firing. Strange because I have some enameled steel coffee cups in that hue Orange, but that might be a different process.
As initially stated, I am in no way to be mistaken for a Powder Coating Expert.

For my money, VHT Chevy Engine Orange enamel works fine and lasts a long time, and is much less expensive.

Indeed.

[Already Gone]

When building the small block 400 for my truck I wanted stock valve covers. used one from old 350 and bought a used one. My friend knocked some dents out and sand blasted them then used Duplicolor Ceramic Paint with 2 costs of primer, 2 coats of Chevy Orange and 2 coats of clear. Paint is holding up well. Also used studs instead of bolts and the long hold downs. Only 3500 mileson the engine but no leaks so far.

[Rick Bollinger]

I too powder coated my covers. I used Eastwood SBC orange. For me they turned out great. DIY Eastwood duel voltage set-up and a electric oven I too payed $20 for. I also did all of my small brackets and pulleys along with a bunch of bolts and nuts. Like others glass beaded in a Harbor Freight cabinet then sprayed with brake cleaner before coating. Baked at 365 degrees for about half an hour. So far no issues with anything coated to date. I cant imagine a 185 degree engine doing any damage especially the valve covers that would be considerlbly cooler. I am no expert by any means but was happy with the results.

[Extended Power]

The GM 572 crate engines come with cast aluminum powder coated covers.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Extended Power

The GM 572 crate engines come with cast aluminum powder coated covers.

Those look great.
Disregard Posts #8 and 10. The problem has been solved.