1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

[Tom B.]

The black is bubbling along the rails and between the fins on the magnesium valve covers. I'm not sure what the process was for finishing these in the first place or the type of paint used. It is a low gloss black that has an appearance of being a heavy baked on coating. I doubt it was powder coat back then.

Any comments on refinishing these to look correct? I'm sure I'll hand strip them so as not to take any sharpness off the fins. Is magnesium vulnerable to stripping chemicals?

Tom

[Edward J.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

Tom, I would think a powder coater would be able to refinish them. I know that it was they were not sprayed. the coating was thicker like a powder coating.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

Tom, years ago I saw a refinished valve cover next to an original in Colorado and could not tell the difference. The refinished one was done in PlastiKote black. I have not seen that type of PlastiKote brand in awhile and am uncertain if it is still available. PlastiKote is available but I do not know what the finish looks like. It was between a gloss and semi-gloss. If you remember the mags on the '57 I did the spokes and centers with that paint. It filled in small blemishes, looked thick, and lasted forever. Steve

[Tom B.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

I'll have to check for PlastiKote. I knew I remembered that finish from somewhere. I can't remember where I last saw it for sale. Powder coat might be a more durable option. If I can find some PlastiKote I can shoot some test panels.

Tom

[Terry M.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

Here you go.

http://www.eastwood.com/paints/plastic-coating.html?SRCCODE=1EM1834&trk_msg=H2EHTJ7CFLHKPBDOVKOKDFPAOO&trk_contact=U6JGH6F7VVK068FHU6BVAERGPG&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.eastwood.com%2fpaints%2fplastic-coating.html%3fSRCCODE%3d1EM1834&utm_campaign=1EM1834&utm_content=1EM1834

The last I bought was from my local ACE, but that was a couple of years ago.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

Terry,

That's Plasti-Dip, which is a very different product than PlastiKote paint.
PlastiKote is just another brand name like Krylon or RustOleum.

http://www.plastikote.com/index.jsp

[Tom B.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

That's what I'm thinking too. I found three blacks in the engine paint section of the PlastiKote site. #215 is low gloss black available at Do It Best hardwares. I think I'll grab a can and test it.


Tom

[Terry M.]

Re: 1981 L81 Valve Cover Finish

Terry,

That's Plasti-Dip, which is a very different product than PlastiKote paint.
PlastiKote is just another brand name like Krylon or RustOleum.

http://www.plastikote.com/index.jsp

I kind of wondered how that would work on rocker covers, but now days people are putting it on wheels and all sorts of other things, so I thought WTFDIK. Obviously not much.