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V12 E-Type Valve Covers

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Tullamore

Tullamore

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I just sandblasted the valve covers for my V12. Does anyone know what kind of paint I should be using to correct the finish and durability on them?

Also: I could use a new gear for the bottom of my distributor, if anyone has one or the entire distributor that they are willing to part with send me a PM.
 
I would firstly take them to your machine shop and have them hot tanked in order to remove any sand/glass that might be let behind.
I would top coat them in a semi-gloss black. Some suppliers refer to it as 50% or 60% black.
Cheers,
D.
 
Yup, David hit it on both counts... hot tank 'em clean, "semi-gloss" black. If you don't have access to a good bodyshop supply house for mixing, check what Rustoleum has for "BBQ" paint. They have a semi-gloss black.
 
This "example" was gone thru about ten years ago. Cam covers done with a "flattened" gloss black engine paint. I pulled the carbs off and went thru 'em a couple months ago and took the pic. The "Jaguar" stickers have long since fallen off...

Owner neglects it, it sits for months at a time under a stilt house on the Gulf of Mexico, largely exposed to the elements. Ugh.
 

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I think I know why I have been confused. It looks like there are two styles. The one pictured above does not have the Jaguar logo machined into the cover but used a sticker that showed the Jaguar logo in gold.

The other type like what I have has the Jaguar machined into the cover and stays aluminum colored.

IMG_0289.jpg
 
Ah! Earlier car. Still semi-gloss, but with the embossed ribs and logo brushed to metal at their top. Clear coat it after sanding thru the paint or it'll peel `n flake. One of the synthetic foam paint rollers works for the clear fairly well if you don't get sloppy :wink:
 
I would stay away from clear coat, as it likes to flake away after a few years time and heat cycles. If I where in Doc's area...meaning in wet areas, then I might clear coat. The clear will discolour over time, if it holds up.
Cheers,
D.
 
Fair point, sir. The clear is mainly to keep atmosphere (or rather what's IN it) away from the raw alloy. "Down here" it's salt water.
 
:lol:


Sooo true!
 
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