Valve covers
 

Has any one clear coated polished aluminum valve covers?I was thinking of Diamond clear from eastwood co. after cleaning them up.I was also thinking of the powder coat system from eastwood and powder coating them with clear.I would assume the covers would withstand the 400 degree temp for 45 minutes.What are the opinions of the OSO guys???

Thanks Nordic95

Re: Valve covers
 

Nordic, I have cleared my covers with high temp engine paint and it's held up pretty well I must say.
Dave

Re: Valve covers
 

Did you polish then first and they clean with thinners and then clear?

Re: Valve covers
 

We clear powdercoat them all the time, works really good. It's a nice way to have a protective shiny finish that cleans up easy.

Re: Valve covers
 

Mine are clear powdercoated and this is the forth season. A simple wipe down occasionly. No polishing :D

Re: Valve covers
 

I used the Eastwood clear on some motorcycle parts. It looked ok, but it started to peel after about 4 years. I had the front fork lowers clear powdercoated at the same time, and they're still going strong. That was over 10 years ago. When I finally bought my own powder coat gun, I went with the Harbor Freight system. It works fine, and is less expensive than Eastwoods. If they're used covers, you'll want to bake them for a while up around 400 deg, to cook out any oil in the pores of the aluminum before coating them. I get my supplies from Columbia Coatings. Good quality powders, and good prices.
http://www.columbiacoatings.com/
They sell the Harbor Freight gun packaged with a bunch of extras, and your choice of powder. I bought mine from them.

Re: Valve covers
 

Thank you,I just ordered the deluxe kit with the sampler powders.Have you used an electric oven or a gas oven to cure small parts?
Thanks Nordic95

Re: Valve covers
 

Don't use a gas oven!
I have an old electric kitchen oven with an Omron PID controller (That's a fancy temperature controller). I got the controller from Ebay, and wired it in place of the standard thermostat. A regular oven will work fine, I just wanted more accurate temperature control. You'll have fun with the kit.
You'll be going around the house looking for things to powdercoat!
Remember, prep is everything! Look up powdercoating on the internet.
You'll find a lot of good info.

Enjoy!

Re: Valve covers
 

Mine are clear too. So is the intake. Only just over a year old but still look new.