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Powdercoating?

gwstang

Member
How hard is the powder coating process? I am sick of these damn edelbrock valve covers (aluminum) looking like crap. It's like they are corroding or something from all the moisture we've had this year. I guess parking on concrete, even inside, is causing the condensation to build up. They look like sh*t. I have a buddy that also has the same type valve covers on his El Camino and they do the same thing also. I think I will just get one of the cheapo coating kits from harbor freight and give it a try this summer. I've already taken them off and polished them up one time and they are back to looking like crap again. Ughhh...chrome is better than aluminum any day. Maybe I just need to clear coat them or something? Wish I would have know this before spending about $100 on these. :$$$
 
I've got a kit that I got several years ago, but haven't used. Now that we bought a house with a shop, I can go out and find an electric oven to do the baking in. It doesn't look overly difficult to do the powdercoating. just need to clean the part, ground it, and shoot it with the powder....and then bake it.

I just need to get off my butt and talk to the used appliance stores....
 
I think I'm going to try this also, my 60's style Cal Custom alum. covers are getting too much 'patena' look and my powdercoater advised he could blast them lightly to polish and put a clear coat on them for long lasting shine.
Jon
 
Are they the cast aluminum type? I had the same problem with the flaking. I think I was told something about trying to powdercoat cast aluminum after exposure to oil--maybe because its porous? I painted my with Eastwood AlumiBlast and put a coat of clear on top of it. Its been about 10 months and they still look good.

 
I have aluminum covers too. Heard of an industrial type coating I was going to try, need to ask what its called again. I also have a powder coating kit and got a used range free. Check craigslist for people remodeling their kitchen and giving stuff away.
 
It is very easy to do with the home kit or professional. I have one friend that has the home kit & has had very good results. I also have another friend that started a powder coating business last year. Just like painting the prep works the the most important part, the part has to be clean! For best adhesion the part will need to have a phosphate coat added before powder. If using the home kit you can pickup a metal prep at your local home store for steel or aluminum. As stated aluminium is very porous & will absorb oil readily. My friend that does this professionally will put items that have been exposed to oil in the oven for a a couple of hours before he coat them just to get out as much oil as he can before it gets powder.

If you do not mind shipping you parts, to SE Iowa, & would rather have it done at a reasonable price I can send you his number. His prices are very reasonable & does god work. He takes pride in his work he will do whatever he can to satisfy.
 
All the original crinkle paint wore off of my valve covers over the years so a friend who has a powder coat business powder coated the crinkle back on them. They turned out great.
 
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