Powdercoating valve covers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lippyp · 10-18-2005, 11:04 AM

I've just won a set of aluminium Mickey Thompson valve covers off ebay. I want to keep them low maintenance as my truck lives outside and polishing aluminium is a PITA. I was thinking of cleaning them thoroughly, having them blasted and then clear powder coated. Will this stand up well to engine temps, oil etc? I was toying with the idea of a wrinkle finish in black with the fins and logo in bare metal and then cleared over the whole thing. Anyone done similar, opinions welcome.

cdowns · 10-18-2005, 11:10 AM

the main advantage of aluminum valve covers is that they help disapate oil temp by powdercoat you loose some of that advantage

Lippyp · 10-18-2005, 12:05 PM

It's a pretty much stock engine so heat dissipation isn't really a huge issue for me.

sneakysnake · 10-18-2005, 12:22 PM

Someone had mention powder coating warping aluminium parts, like tranny cases. that might be a factor.

krue · 10-18-2005, 01:04 PM

I doubt it would warp that much, I powdercoated a stock set of valve covers and they have held up pretty well for about a year now.

DR67 · 10-18-2005, 05:26 PM

I have had mine on for about a year now, and they have held up just fine.

matthufham · 10-18-2005, 05:56 PM

Mickey Thompsons are cast. They’ll stand up to a lot, including sand blasting and any finish on top won't compromise heat dissipation too much.

Lippyp · 10-19-2005, 08:09 AM

The people I'm thinking about using specialise in pwder coating car and motorcycle parts only and apparently are very good, do a lot of vintage bike stuff. They come on personal reccomendation from someone thats used them and are pretty reasonable price wise too. They're even less than an hours drive from me so I can drop them in too.

djracer · 10-19-2005, 08:23 AM

Go for it you should be fine!

**N2TRUX** · 10-19-2005, 08:48 AM

You will love it when your done. Trying to keep cast aluminum looking good is impossible....

Lippyp · 10-19-2005, 11:18 AM

Thanks Guys, I think I'l go ahead with the clear coat, just got to wait for them to swim the Atlantic now, it can be a frustrating process owning an American classic in the UK!

stllookn · 10-19-2005, 05:33 PM

Lippy...finish it and trade it for a Morgan +4...LOL! They don't sound the same though! And the Morgan isn't worth a day old pie of "snake" and kidney pie for hauling things! You are going to need a cool work rig for the remodel on that villa in France!

I've got a set of MT's on my 283 and would love to see some pics of yours when they are done.

Lippyp · 10-20-2005, 06:26 AM

I wish I could afford the gas to drive it to France (where the steering wheel is on the right side) but at around $7/US Gallon it'd cost me more than the house for a return trip of 1,800 miles! Had a number of British/European classics over the years, from Triumph Spitfires to Alfa Romeos via Series Landrovers and a few others. The Morgan Aero 8 doesn't sound too bad, but for noise appeal it has to be a TVR.

10-18-2005, 11:04 AM	#1
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Powdercoating valve covers I've just won a set of aluminium Mickey Thompson valve covers off ebay. I want to keep them low maintenance as my truck lives outside and polishing aluminium is a PITA. I was thinking of cleaning them thoroughly, having them blasted and then clear powder coated. Will this stand up well to engine temps, oil etc? I was toying with the idea of a wrinkle finish in black with the fins and logo in bare metal and then cleared over the whole thing. Anyone done similar, opinions welcome. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-18-2005, 11:10 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Powdercoating valve covers the main advantage of aluminum valve covers is that they help disapate oil temp by powdercoat you loose some of that advantage __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-18-2005, 12:05 PM	#3
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Powdercoating valve covers It's a pretty much stock engine so heat dissipation isn't really a huge issue for me. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-18-2005, 12:22 PM	#4
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Powdercoating valve covers Someone had mention powder coating warping aluminium parts, like tranny cases. that might be a factor.

10-18-2005, 01:04 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Powdercoating valve covers I doubt it would warp that much, I powdercoated a stock set of valve covers and they have held up pretty well for about a year now. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-18-2005, 05:26 PM	#6
DR67 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Knoxville, Tn. USA Posts: 205	Re: Powdercoating valve covers I have had mine on for about a year now, and they have held up just fine. __________________ Dave Knoxville,Tn.

10-18-2005, 05:56 PM	#7
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Powdercoating valve covers Mickey Thompsons are cast. They’ll stand up to a lot, including sand blasting and any finish on top won't compromise heat dissipation too much.

10-19-2005, 08:09 AM	#8
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Powdercoating valve covers The people I'm thinking about using specialise in pwder coating car and motorcycle parts only and apparently are very good, do a lot of vintage bike stuff. They come on personal reccomendation from someone thats used them and are pretty reasonable price wise too. They're even less than an hours drive from me so I can drop them in too. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-19-2005, 08:23 AM	#9
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	Re: Powdercoating valve covers Go for it you should be fine! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

10-19-2005, 08:48 AM	#10
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Powdercoating valve covers You will love it when your done. Trying to keep cast aluminum looking good is impossible.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-19-2005, 11:18 AM	#11
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Powdercoating valve covers Thanks Guys, I think I'l go ahead with the clear coat, just got to wait for them to swim the Atlantic now, it can be a frustrating process owning an American classic in the UK! __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-19-2005, 05:33 PM	#12
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Powdercoating valve covers Lippy...finish it and trade it for a Morgan +4...LOL! They don't sound the same though! And the Morgan isn't worth a day old pie of "snake" and kidney pie for hauling things! You are going to need a cool work rig for the remodel on that villa in France! I've got a set of MT's on my 283 and would love to see some pics of yours when they are done. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 10-19-2005 at 05:36 PM.

10-20-2005, 06:26 AM	#13
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Powdercoating valve covers I wish I could afford the gas to drive it to France (where the steering wheel is on the right side) but at around $7/US Gallon it'd cost me more than the house for a return trip of 1,800 miles! Had a number of British/European classics over the years, from Triumph Spitfires to Alfa Romeos via Series Landrovers and a few others. The Morgan Aero 8 doesn't sound too bad, but for noise appeal it has to be a TVR. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

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