Coating Aluminum

[57j2olds]

Hello,

I have coated cast iron in the past with great success, but I was wondering if it's possible to coat my aluminum valve covers for my 57 Oldsmobile?



Thanks!

[non-stick]

First of all... welcome to the boards. We're happy you made it here. There's lots of posts here regarding coating aluminum and the answer is indeed, yes.... you can coat it without grief. Lots of folks here coat valve covers all the time and have fantastic results. I have no doubt yours will be no less beutiful. Happy and safe coating.... Russ

[57j2olds]

Thanks for the info Russ. I was going to use POR 15 on my intake manifold as well as valve covers. But after getting into power coating I think my parts may come out better using powder.

Have you heard of POR 15? They says its stonger than powder coat.

Thanks,
57J2olds

[non-stick]

In my humble opinion.... this stuff is better. New formulations nowadays yield better end-user results : http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/rustbullet.html

As far as my uses with POR-15 go..... it's good for a frame coating maybe... but nothing I'd want on my valve covers. Frames are rarely seen, and valve covers are right there on top of the engine. Powder coating is definately the way to go with it assuming you want a powder coated finish (some guys like to polish them, others like an anodize).

Check out everything here for inspiration : http://www.caswellplating.com/bbs/al...t.php?cat_id=2 . There's some nice work in there to give you some ideas.

'57 Olds,huh? Stock survivor or a custom job? Just curious.

[57j2olds]

It's a stock survivor. I have been restoring it for 5 years. The engine is now ready for paint. This leads me to another question......do you know where I can find "Oldsmobile Gold" powder?

I think the normal gold will work fine, but just curious.

By the way, I have the factory tripower!

Thanks

[non-stick]

aaaaarrrggggghhhh, tri-power (ala Homer Simpson).

Oldsmobile Gold is not something that I think is formulated anywhere in particular these days. You may find a "chevy blue" or a "black mopar wrinkle".... but usually it's a case of what looks closest. Personally... from one car guy to another, the gold won't be looked at as "incorrect" on the car and I'd go for it. Even the purists will have trouble telling the difference unless they are walking around with 40 colour charts with them at any time. If anybody tells you they can spot the tone-change.... they're fooling only themselves unless it SERIOUSLY way off (which it isn't). Just my .02.... Russ