Has anyone had any success at repainting their cam/ valve cover? Seems to be a problem on the aj6 engine getting good results.

 

On the V12 I used high temperature paint and it is fine. It is not glossy though, more like a bright matt finish.

 

Did you do anything regarding preparation Greg?

 

Isn't the cam cover on the AJ6 like the AJ16 out of Magnesium?

 

I believe so

 

Yes I applied paint stripper to the cover and got it down to bare metal. Then several coats of VHT aerosol red. It dries sort of dusty to the touch but goes off completely once on the car and it gets cooked. Always your Mum's oven at 150C...

 

You need a TOTALLY clean and grease free cover to start with.
Then use a VHT primer, several coats.
Then a VHT top coat.
Then several VHT clear coats to give the shine you have always desired, even over a gloss paint.

If you don't use a VHT clearcoat it will go yellow in appearance.

 

IF it is magnesium/manganese, you'll want a very good etcher to make a solid contact.

I PERSONALLY would have it powdercoated. But that is just me...

 

Will powder coating be durable enough?

 

Maybe, but is does flake off in sheets. HT paint is probably more lasting, though not quite as snazzy when new.

 

Sure will. But prior to powdercoating the valve cover will need a good clean up and removal of all paint rests. And if Mg it'll need to be treated first. But the same goes for normal paint as well.

 

Treated in what way? Also can areas be masked off for powder coating to achieve an original Finnish? Ta

 

If it is Mg, then you'll need some kind of surface stabilizer to connected the paint to the metal.

And yes, all you di is tape the areas off that shouldn't be coated. Just like painting with liquid paint.