V12 E-Type Valve Covers

[Tullamore]

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.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

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.

 

[DrEntropy]

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.

 

[Tullamore]

For some reason I thought they might have originally had a wrinkle finish on them.

 

[DrEntropy]

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.

 

[Tullamore]

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.

 

[DrEntropy]

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:

 

[Grantura_MKI]

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.

 

[DrEntropy]

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.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

That is the problem with Florida, every thing need to be built as if it where a boat.
Cheers,
D.

 

[DrEntropy]

:lol:


Sooo true!