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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bouts on April 26, 2016, 08:42:18 PM

Title: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: bouts on April 26, 2016, 08:42:18 PM: 2014 California Touring, thinking about painting the aluminum valve covers a satin black to try and blend them into the motor a bit more. I was wondering if anyone has tried to paint the covers? If so, what kind of adhesion products, and what kind of paint?
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: PJPR01 on April 26, 2016, 08:55:40 PM: I had mine coated black with Xylan here at MPH...turned out great!

It's more like a coating than a paint...heat resistant so no issues.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: pete mcgee on April 26, 2016, 09:48:14 PM: I powder coated the valve covers on the LeMans 3 21 years ago, still good after 100,000 miles.
That the answer you were looking for?
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: ponti_33609 on April 27, 2016, 06:10:58 AM: Quote from: bouts on April 26, 2016, 08:42:18 PM
2014 California Touring, thinking about painting the aluminum valve covers a satin black to try and blend them into the motor a bit more. I was wondering if anyone has tried to paint the covers? If so, what kind of adhesion products, and what kind of paint?

I just had mine powder coated by GuzziTech. Said they have great luck with them holding up over time.

(http://thumb.ibb.co/khcc5a/IMG_5734.jpg) (http://ibb.co/khcc5a)
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Dean Rose on April 27, 2016, 06:16:52 AM: Painted mine on the Big Breva with http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/touch-up-paint-pa-15-98606bf--1.

Dean
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: blackcat on April 27, 2016, 07:42:26 AM: I had my CX valve covers sprayed with Gun-Kote by Steve Ford from Parts is Parts about 15 years ago. They still look good except for some wear marks on the left cover.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/paint-finishes/bake-on-aerosol-paints/gun-kote-oven-cure-gun-finish-prod1150.aspx
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: bouts on April 27, 2016, 10:16:02 AM: Thanks for the suggestions. I guess the heat hasn't affected the painted products.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: twhitaker on April 27, 2016, 02:10:11 PM: There ARE alternatives to paint.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: PJPR01 on April 27, 2016, 02:55:58 PM: Quote from: twhitaker on April 27, 2016, 02:10:11 PM
There ARE alternatives to paint.

yup....mentioned above....Xylan for example.

Or Powder coating...if it's heat resistant...
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: ponti_33609 on April 27, 2016, 03:04:43 PM: Quote from: PJPR01 on April 27, 2016, 02:55:58 PM
yup....mentioned above....Xylan for example.

Or Powder coating...if it's heat resistant...

Gold Plating is an option....don't leave that out!

(http://thumb.ibb.co/dNEeJv/Clipboard_image_2016_04_27_16_15_37.png) (http://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: rodekyll on April 27, 2016, 03:33:15 PM: To directly answer -- almost any rattle can of engine paint will work. The heat isn't bad on the valve cover. Some folks use a primer like zinc chromate, or etch the metal before painting to increase adhesion.

That said, I sandblast and powder coat mine. Here's a $10 rashed lid from a Jackal:

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/powder/rkvalvecover6.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/powder/rkvalvecover6.jpg.html)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/powder/primer1.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/powder/primer1.jpg.html)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/powder/valvecoverdone1.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/powder/valvecoverdone1.jpg.html)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/powder/conceptA.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/powder/conceptA.jpg.html)

BMW in crinkle:

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/powder/bmwvalvecovers.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/powder/bmwvalvecovers.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Testarossa on April 27, 2016, 03:49:48 PM: I used rattle-can engine paint. One coat primer, bake in oven. Two coats color, bake in oven. That was 15 years ago and the paint is holding up nicely.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: sidecarnutz on April 27, 2016, 03:59:55 PM: I like Norrells moly resin myself. Unlike Guncoat, it dries to the touch. So you can handle the pieces to put them in an oven. Guncoat pieces require handling them with SS wires as they stay tacky until cured. I just did some antique axe heads the other day and have done my own gun part refinishing and seat and bike brackets. Many colors available. Cleans up with wash lacquer thinner. Applied it with a cheap HVLP spray gun. A $3 toaster oven from a thrift shop for setting the resin. (325 degrees for one hour)
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: shelbygt on April 28, 2016, 12:56:33 PM: Was thinking about doing calipers along with valve covers on mine. Anything different with doing calipers?
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Toecutter on April 28, 2016, 01:01:36 PM: "I used rattle-can engine paint. One coat primer, bake in oven. Two coats color, bake in oven. That was 15 years ago and the paint is holding up nicely."

Question: Necessary to bake in oven, considering the heat generated from riding?
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Testarossa on April 28, 2016, 01:06:09 PM: Valve covers don't get hot enough (350F) to really hard-cure the paint. If they got that hot they'do toast your knees and roast the fuel tank.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Scud on April 28, 2016, 10:34:50 PM: I also had my valve covers powder-coated - and the head guards done to match at the same time. I'm super happy with them. The heat during powder-coating is higher than engine temps - so no worries about potential damage from heat.

Re brake calipers: VHT and some other manufacturers make a special paint for brake calipers. I used VHT on my BMW K75 calipers and am pleased with the result.
Title: Re: Painted Valve Covers
Post by: Porterhouse on April 28, 2016, 11:22:45 PM: VHT Cast Iron Metallic on my GRiSO

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_ArVHfFSVM/VttaaNh0bXI/AAAAAAAAB8g/yAWlr8UqV7UkXltQL48w948mZkeKRFJ1gCCo/s800/IMG_3242.JPG)

(http://www.vhtpaint.com/images/products/HighHeat_EngineEnamel_220x580.png)