Powder coating the valve covers

[pirate87]

I decided to clean up my engine bay a little bit, I am really anal when it comes to things being clean. Anyways, before the motor went in the car I sprayed the valve covers blue with high temp paint. It really doesn't look bad at all, but after months of working on the engine, and the initial process of lowering it in the car, the paint is all scratched and scuffed.

here's a pic for reference:

I've decided to get them powdercoated, but really have no idea how much it will cost, and if it will be more durable than the high temp paint. From the examples I've seen the finish certainly looks better.

I also haven't decided on a color yet. Right now the engine bay motif is blue I guess, since my valve covers, couplers, and fittings are all blue, but hey, like I care if it matches! I do like all things outlandish and am open to suggestions, so let me know what you've got! Pics would be great.

[002-M-P]

I see you are in durham...I had my parts done by a place called topcoat in Raleigh. They did both my valve covers, sparkplug cover, timing gear cover, and the plate between the head and the cam gears. Cleaning them (blasting and cleaning and masking off) and then powder coating them cost me $175 for everything. Not a horrible price, but I have def seen better prices...here is a pic of mine for reference...

[Sil240]

For the Front Covers, and the Valve covers.It'll probably Run you like anywhere from $100 - 200Depending on color.

Powder coating is a billion times more durable than high temp paint.I haven't even driven my car and the valve covers already have chips on then etc....

[pirate87]

thats not too bad pricewise, I do like the blue!

I also really like this:



I just got the greddy manifold, so if I could do something like that I'd have it coated too.

BTW: MP, would you happen to go to state?

[002-M-P]

Yes, I do. You?

[pirate87]

Yes sir, just finishing up my first semester.

[cdorhout]

This is a pic of my valve covers.It's powder coated Candy Copper. Silver base, with translucent copper over top.

It looks really nice in the sun.

Cost me $120 for two layer powdercoat and sandblast. Cheap!!

[002-M-P]

Yes sir, just finishing up my first semester.

Nice. I am just finishing up my 3rd year (and 3rd rotation at my engineering co-op).

[Darius]

Don't forget to mention how good your exhaust manifold and turbo heat shields turned out too. They look GOOOOD! Those were included in your $120 price right?

[cdorhout]

No, I did the heat shields later. But he only charged me $30 for both shields in high temp black and sand blasted. Dirt cheap IMO

[240wootie]

My dad owns a fab shop and we have a huge powder coating system... we charge i think $75 an hour to do powder work. the aluminum will have to be stripped and then prepped by the powder coating shop. should be about $100ish to have it all done...

[pirate87]

looks awesome guys! So I'll need to strip off all the paint before I take them in to be coated? Is there anything else I can do to prep them before I have it done? I'd like to save as much $ as possible on labor I can do myself.

[DJButton]

Just strip and clean them off real well and I'd say tape the ends off but they may want to do that themselves.

[skribblah]

why dont you guys get the damn thing working instead of worrying about what color to paint it .... jeez.. like a girl and her nails....

[002-M-P]

why dont you guys get the damn thing working instead of worrying about what color to paint it .... jeez.. like a girl and her nails....

lol, some people have had there motor at the machine shop for 2 months now and are just waiting for the chance to even think about their motor running

[Darius]

hahaha kick us while we're down. I have had mine painted for over a year and a half now and the motor still doesn't run right. One thing after another keeps cropping up.