Paint or powdercoat intake and VCs?

[98SF19]

So I got the valve covers and intake sandblasted and was expecting to have the parts powdercoated and done in two days. Well the sandblaster says none of the powdercoating shops he works with recommend powdercoating the VCs as they get too hot. He is suggesting a high-heat ceramic coat (note: he will not profit at all from me having this more expensive work done).

Based on what I've found on this forum through searches, the powerdercoating seems to hold up well, as does the duplicolor paint which many have tried. Do these people not know what they're talking about? I'm under a bit of a time crunch here and will need to put the car back together in about 2 days. I remember seeing some pics from a member on here that seemed to have done many intake/valve cover paint jobs, but I couldn't find the particular post to PM them directly.

Can anybody clear this up for me so I can get moving with it?

Thanks!

 

[DJSHO91]

They powdercoat headers and exhaust components, yet they worry about cam covers? Sounds fishy to me. Mine are powdercoated, and I'm the 2nd owner, with no issues. The major issue(that I know of) is to make certain that the mounting surfaces remain machined, so that they seal correctly with the gasket material. Good luck and post photos when completed.

 

[SHOZ123]

The Dupilcolor is not solvent proof.

 

[98SF19]

Well, you both affirmed what I thought I already knew, and that is that powdercoating can hold up to the Gen 3 motor temps. Could the geometry of the Gen3 VCs be a problem with hard to reach surfaces? The sandblasting guy may have been referring to that, but if so, it wasn't clear. He did mention that he was expecting them to be more square/flat shaped like older motors. But I have seen several users here that have posted Gen3 motors that were powdercoated (and looked very good!). The sandblasting was done on the TOP of the VCs only, which I expected as this shop has been around for 30+ years and does most of their work for local body shops. So the sealing surfaces should be untouched (I'll clean them well before re-assembling).

 

[SHOZ123]

On the front cover most times all the unused post and other mounting points are ground down prior to powered coating.

I did see decals fade when mounted on the valve cover over time.

 

[My_Silver_SHO]

Powder Coat looks great and lasts...but spray paint is cheap and looks good too.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've got a loose front VC PC red if someone is interested.

 

[98SF19]

killin me Paul

NOW you tell me! :shakehead
Actually, I was going to do a blue/yellow combo until I learned that the powdercoater jacks the price way up when doing multi-color. Now I'm looking at doing it all "Carter yellow".
What do you mean by loose?

 

[SHOZ123]

loose = not installed

 

[SHO U UP]

I've done many p/coated intakes and valve covers in all various colors. I'll see if I can't find some shots for ya. I don't have any yellow colored ones, but I do have blue.

 

[98SF19]

Well I've had these photos waiting to get uploaded for almost a year now, so I wanted to do it before I forgot completely. Powerdercoat project . . .
. . . I hope my current A/C project (mission really) ends as well as this did! I have yet to do the appearance cover.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8793.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8794.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8805.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8814.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8817.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8818.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8823.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8826.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8827.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8828.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50438230/DSCN8829.jpg

 

[BamSHO]

Here is a pic of what I just did to my 98. Its Duplicolor paint

.https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1044844_10200207708497131_1284962176_n.jpg

 

[98SF19]

Cool

Those are my high school colors! I'll eventually paint my appearance cover, but I'm not sure how to get the "SHO" graphics cleaned up well. Nice IMRC - is it functioning still? If so, are you using a catch can?

Has anybody used this stuff:
http://www.kwasny.de/index.php?id=189&L=1

 

[BamSHO]

Yes the IMRC is still working, this one is my spare. The other one, the plastic tab broke, need to see if I can find a replacement end. Nope not using a catch can.

Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[98SF19]

Imrc

Nope not using a catch can.

You must be cleaning the butterflies a couple times a year, yeah?. I still have mine (imrc) . . . in my garage. Plastic wheel is cracked. 2-part epoxy couldn't hold it! No moving part in that system should have been made of plastic.