C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

[Mark E.]

How are these valve covers finished? Natural magnesium finish? Clear coated? Painted?

What's the best practice for restoring them? They're in good condition but discolored (brown) from using cleaners.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

Powder coating of the right dull silver can replicate it best.
Or, if the current coating isn't chipped you could have them Cerakoted in the right color.
The original coating definitely has a thickness and texture to it.

[Mark E.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

What is the original finish? I believe it's natural magnesium casting but I'm not sure.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

Since I have stripped a pair, I can tell you as I did above that its a coating over the underlying metal.

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

What is the original finish? I believe it's natural magnesium casting but I'm not sure.

Mark------


I agree with Patrick. It's absolutely NOT a natural magnesium finish. Some of the C4 vendors offer a spry-on product to "re-finish" these valve covers. I don't know how good it is, though, or how the finish it produces replicates the original.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

I was thinking about this as I was shoveling today.
I'd look hard at Cerakoting with the Satin Mag color or similar.
It would be FAR better than the original.

Cerakote will send you up to 3 sample color pieces, and find a place that Cerakotes in your area is easy.

[Mark E.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

Mark------

I agree with Patrick. It's absolutely NOT a natural magnesium finish. Some of the C4 vendors offer a spry-on product to "re-finish" these valve covers. I don't know how good it is, though, or how the finish it produces replicates the original.

Thanks Joe.

[Mark E.]

Re: C4 L98 Valve Cover Finish

I was thinking about this as I was shoveling today.
I'd look hard at Cerakoting with the Satin Mag color or similar.
It would be FAR better than the original.

Cerakote will send you up to 3 sample color pieces, and find a place that Cerakotes in your area is easy.

Thanks Patrick. This sounds like a great option; I'll look into it.