ceramic coating of aluminum parts - Plating Powder Coating Buffing Anodizing

x1rider · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 06:02 AM

I want to do a ceramic coating of my car's valve cover and intake manifold. They are made of aluminum and I was wondering if it's dangerous to damage them with the heat from the curing process. Thanks.

bzer1 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 09:03 AM

I've ceramic coated many parts...I would NOT recommend ceramic coating and curing an aluminum valve cover. The temps will cause it to warp, and the outgassing at those temps would be unbelievable. I coat alot of valve covers, you can get great results from most powder formulas and they do hold up really well. There is no advantage to ceramic coating them.

x1rider · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 09:59 AM

Thank you very much for your reply, I will skip the valve cover (maybe I'll just polish it). What about the intake manifold, do you think I could still coat it? Thanks.

bzer1 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x1rider

Thank you very much for your reply, I will skip the valve cover (maybe I'll just polish it). What about the intake manifold, do you think I could still coat it? Thanks.

Sure, the intake will not be a problem. I've done a few of them.

x1rider · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 02:18 PM

Thanks again for your assistance. I plan on removing all the cast marks and polishing it smooth before applying the ceramic coating. Is blasting the part absolutely necessary before applying the ceramic coating (I'm thinking a colored Cerakote coating) or is buffing it with a greaseless compound and a buffing wheel sufficient? (I'm sorry if my questions appear ridiculous, I just started looking into this!!!)

bzer1 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 05:12 PM

You really should blast it. I blast with aluminum oxide. Don't use glass bead or silica sand. You'll leave blast material in the pours of the metal.

x1rider · #7 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 05:16 PM

Thanks a lot, I will either buy the equipment or I will find someone here who does it. Many thanks for taking the time to help me out.

bzer1 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 09:33 AM

I would also suggest reading the other forums on this site. Even though you might not be into plating or polishing or whatever you can pickup some great tips on part prep. Things that a powder coater might not necessarily do, or something that someone experimented with, that might just work for you.

x1rider · #9 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 11:50 AM

Thanks, I have a bit of experience with polishing. I worked on the intercooler on my car...
Started with this...

and ended with this...

I couldn't do a perfect job because there was a lot of pitting in the cast but it turned out not too bad for a first attempt at polishing.

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