Jimbo1367

I am getting a new oilpand and beadblasting my timingcover/valvecovers and want to have it all powdercoated. My question is I want to maintain the stock new look of the cast aluminum , so should I go with " flat clear" or "semigloss" (satin, I believe some call it)
thanks,
JIm

Jimbo1367

semigloss clear

Nashty

iTrader: (7)

It will still darken it like it's wet. Might not notice, or then again, maybe you will.

Jimbo1367

Which will darken. Semi or flat?

Jimbo1367

c'mon people. I know someone know the answer.

Bowtie70SS

iTrader: (10)

I have not seen the powder coat darken on stuff I have done in clear. The powder coat is whitish when sprayed on and it is dry. I would use satin if I were you. Get 70% or something close.

Hotrod406

iTrader: (6)

I just clear powdered a valley pan and it is quite a bit darker than it was before. I used super gloss clear because that's what I had. I think satin or flat will work fine. Maybe your coater will have a sample of both?

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

A clear anodize will maintain a as cast color and provide corossion protection.

Tim

Jimbo1367

Is anodizing pricey? What type of vendor will do this? I was thinking of asking for samples of clear pwdr coated cast aluminum items, but they would need to be on a running engine for heat cycles. If the clear anodizing is too pricey ( I am thinking it will be ) I will have to settle for a cast aluminum powdercoat or just not bother until they all discolor enough to bother me. Hopefully a couple of years at least.

Jimbo1367

do you have any pics of it?
thanks,
Jim

shovelhead73

All th clear powdercoats will darken the finish, gloss or semi-gloss. I've tried both. I think heating the aluminum to 400+ degrees does somehting to the finish. You might try taking it to a body shop and have them shoot your pieces with a couple coats of clear.

Jimbo1367

Anyone have any pics of cast aluminum pieces powdercoated "cast aluminum"?
thanks,
Jim

Hotrod406

iTrader: (6)

Here are some pics of that valley pan I coated. That was sand blasted and then coated. I'm doing a brand new front cover right now. I will post before and after pics of that one.







Brand new front cover



Cover is on the oven curing right now. I'll post a pic when it is cooled off.

Jimbo1367

[B][Hotrod403/B]
Thanks. After you sandblasted the valleycover, did it look like a new cover or did the sand discolor it some? Did you p/c the valley yourself too? Eastwood products? thanks,
Jim

Hotrod406

iTrader: (6)

The sandblaster didn't color the metal but it puts a different finish on it than original. It looks like sand paper instead of smooth. I think that's why it got so grey. It almost looks like colored powder but it's clear.

The front cover is cooled and I got a couple pics. You can see that it got a little greyer but not as much as the blasted cover. I think that's the difference between blasted and not.

Jimbo1367

Hotrod406
thanks for the update. Yeah, there is deff. a difference. The new one looks more natural. (except for the gloss)

What level of gloss did you use?( semigloss or gloss)
thanks,
Jim

Hotrod406

iTrader: (6)

I'm using the supergloss from Eastwood.

Jimbo1367

ok, thanks