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Topic: Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat

in Forum: C3 Car Care


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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (1/13)
 8/12/09 4:03pm
longhorn294Lifetime Member
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DeBerry, TX - USA

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 While my engine is out again, I'm buffing the valve covers back up after spraying them with some citrus cleaner when cleaning the engine a while back. Bad idea, that stuff really streaked them up. I'm using a stick of # 6 cleaning/polishing compound from Auto Zone and a buffing wheel.  It's doing a pretty good job, just a lot of work. I was wondering if anyone has used a 'clear coat' over polished aluminum to keep it looking good and how it worked. Would it have to be a Hi-Temp clear to use it on valve covers?
  Hope to have it back together soon. Don't want to miss Eureka Springs!
longhorn2942009-08-12 13:05:51

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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (2/13)
 8/12/09 6:17pm
gurtz
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baton rouge, LA - USA

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You should use a high temp clear coat; however, as you are going over bare metal, you might want to see if you need anything like Bulldog - primer for bare metal.
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (3/13)
 8/12/09 6:18pm
KDADDY79
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Hey longhorn,
I'd think that a flexing agent would have to be added to the clear coat to allow for the expansion and contraction that goes on under the hood.
I once saw a dressed up 350 motor with custom painted valve covers and intake manifold. Real nice! The owner told me he had used a flexing agent in the clear coat.
Hope this helps.
Kevin
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (4/13)
 8/12/09 11:06pm
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I think a high-temp clear would be fine, but don't know if a paint will stick to the polished aluminuminum? The compound left on the surface may create an issue, but I also don't know what the heck you could use to clean the covers, that won't dull the polished finish you just spent all that time doing...
You might have to just take a chance a spray one, to see how it comes out. If the paint don't fish-eye, then you're good to go.
I've always just put a good coat of wax on fresh polished 'luminuminum, but...waxing valve covers ain't exactly a fun job while they're on the car! The clear-coat will be best. There are different types of clear, like satin finish, or even textured, so be sure to get the shiny clear...


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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (5/13)
 8/12/09 11:41pm
longhorn294Lifetime Member
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DeBerry, TX - USA

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 Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll just have to try and see wha hoppins. Joel might have a point, getting clear to stick on aluminumununm. They sure look a lot better now. Be nice to keep em that way. Let you know what happens, that is if I can find a hi temp clear.

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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (6/13)
 8/13/09 12:45am
rraider1
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There was a polish I think it was called Mothers that we used to polish up the aluminum cases of our motorcycles a few years ago.
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (7/13)
 8/13/09 4:35am
1sty2000
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_popupControl(); You might also want to use a dirt and wax degreaser and a tack cloth before you spray them with the clear coat. The degrease will take most anything off that would cause the clear to seperate (you may want to test a small area first) and the tack cloth will take away any dust, dirt, etc that may be on them before you spray them assuring you a nice smooth coat(s)
 
Best of luck!
 
Jeff
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (8/13)
 8/13/09 10:18am
longhorn294Lifetime Member
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DeBerry, TX - USA

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[QUOTE=rraider1]There was a polish I think it was called Mothers that we used to polish up the aluminum cases of our motorcycles a few years ago.[/QUOTE]
  Yeah, Mothers is good, but unfortunately that citrus stuff etched the aluminum. Angry  They're shiny now but I can still see the 'stains'. I guess I'll have to get the one step coarser compound and then re-polish with the hi gloss stuff.
  Thanks Jeff, a degreaser and tack cloth would be in order. Maybe rubbing alcohol or brake parts cleaner and tack cloth?
longhorn2942009-08-13 07:19:31

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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (9/13)
 8/13/09 11:08am
VetteSpecialties
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A more expensive, but permanent solution would be to have them anodized with clear.

Larry
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (10/13)
 8/13/09 12:43pm
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Working with aluminum is a sensitive area. When I had my car painted recently the painter used a degreaser to remove any wax residue before sanding and the over spray spotted my rims. Don't know what he was using. On another episode, he clear coated an aluminum manifold for me (rough not polished) as a favor and it looks kinda yellow. Too thick? I don't know. Now I'd be afraid to try without experimenting on something else first. let us know how it turns out, would ya.

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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (11/13)
 8/13/09 4:20pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

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THE MAG WHEELS THAT COME ON NEW CARS ARE CLEAR COATED, THE ONES ON MY 97 CHEV PICK UP ARE LIKE THAT, AFTER I2 YEARS AND DOGS RAISING THEIR LEGS NO YELLOWING, THINK YOU CAN GET IT OVER THE COUNTER CHEVY PARTS, FORD ALSO, MAYEBE WIPE THE COVERS DOWN WITH DENATURED ALCOHOL. anips2009-08-13 13:21:39
Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (12/13)
 8/13/09 7:42pm
greypoupon69Lifetime Member
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Irving, TX - USA

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My car was done that way by the previous owner so I had this gummy crap.  When the engine was rebuilt all that gummy crap had to be cleaned off and it's a Censored, according to the mechanic.  So........I just left the engine just "Plain Jane."  I drive it and it still looks good and clean in there.  I will wipe the engine down with a soft cloth.Big smile  Whatever, Dwain..........it's your baby......LOL


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Aluminum Valve Covers and Clear Coat (13/13)
 8/13/09 11:11pm
anips
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sonoma, CA - USA

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Well there you go Micki, to the point and well taken, also you should also take into consideration what might happen if you were to spill something that is not paint friendly like brake fluid, antifreeze or any additive, or if moisture gets under the clear the alum. will blush, then you got to strip the clear off and start over, the only thing I clear is paint.

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