Vht wrinkle paint on tc valve cover

[Pfreen]

I have painted my valve cover 2 or 3 times with vht wrinkle paint.  It looks great when new, but it peels off after a few years.  I need to do it again.
What experience do you all have?  I know it can be wrinkle powder coated, but I don't know what the temperature range is for powder coat.

[dakazman]

 I will ask some of the experts in the industry over here . I'm assuming it is on an aluminum valve cover? I have a friend that does powder, sunshinedesignsviera on Instagram
 Dakazman

[kram350kram]

Have used VHT wrinkle on used die cast and cast aluminum SBF Cobra valve covers with good results. Chemical and bead blast strip any old paint, clean with acetone, wash with Dawn, then bake them in the BBQ at 375 for an hour or so. You would be surprised how much oil works its way to the surface on a "clean" cover after the bake. Clean again, same routine until no oil residue. Then again in the blast cabinet for paint bite. Good to bake them 20  minutes after the last coat of paint at 100 to get a good wrinkle. Usually tape off any highlights with high temp powder coat masking tape, as sanding off the paint after the fact is difficult.

[Pfreen]

Thanks.  I degreased, but did not bake.

Thanks!

[Footer]

 Rob Siegel, a/k/a the Hack Mechanic had his done but I don’t remember how or by whom.  He may see your post and contribute.

Good luck since it really dresses up the cover.

[dakazman]

  I’m waiting for a response from my friend that does powder coating. There is a wrinkle finish that has good reviews.  I just eat to know if she can do something that large.
Dave

[Pfreen]

So I followed the instructions kram350kram posted and here is a photo of the re, re, re, repaint of the valve cover.

Fingers crossed.

[kram350kram]

Good luck with it. Did you get any oil out of the cover on the initial bake?

[Pfreen]

I am not sure.  I just cleaned it all with degreaser until there was no residue on the towel.

[Fotog]

Since you just did it... what's your favorite method to seal the cover at the head upon installation?  I'm always uncertain about what works best, or 'for sure'.

After reading, I settled upon adhering the gasket to the cover with RTV, then just using a smear of grease on the other surface where it contacts the head.  I *think* that's working well, but I've got some oil leakage problems and I think some are from the cap, which is new(!).

[BDA]

I glue the cork gasket (is it still cork?) to the cam cover with silicone. Then before bolting it to the head, I smear a little wheel bearing (cheap) grease along the gasket so it doesn't stick to the head. Remember to use sealing washers under the nuts.

edit: I have always assumed without thinking about it that if one were to glue the gasket to anything, it would be to the cam cover but I have heard of seemingly aware people who glue the gasket to the head. If one does that and then needs to install another gasket, he could have chunks of gasket and/or silicone go into his head. I think it's best to glue it to the cam cover which can be taken off and refreshed with another gasket when needed without the risk of chunks of gasket falling into the engine.

[Fotog]

That sounds like what I did.  I've wondered if some of that 'non-setting' sealant like Halomar would be even more certain than the grease, and similarly reversible.

[BDA]

You could use Hylomar instead of grease but why would you? Grease works, it’s cheap, and probably even easier to clean off than Hylomar.

[Fotog]

I can't argue with that.  Just wondering, since all the different sealants are a bit of a mystery.  I think the grease worked though.

[BDA]

It’s always worked for me!