bigearl91

Firstly, Just wanted to post some pics up of the valve cover paint I did, was fairly easy, other than stripping the old paint off, if you have access to a shot blaster save yourself3-4 hours of elbow grease and get it done that way.

For anyone's information I bought 2 cans of VHT paint but only ended up using 1, followed the instructions on the tin and did 5 coats, I am fairly happy with the results.

Next step is to get the spark plug cover done red, but this I will take to get powder coated, just wondered if anyone has any tips for me, I will have the letters polished out, not sure whether to do this before or afterwards.

Anyway, Before shots of the cover:

[attachment=83841:P1050916.jpg]

You can see there's a fair bit of muck around the head which was very satisfying to wipe away once it was off.
[attachment=83842:P1050921.jpg]

Everything looks quite healthy to me, I'm no engineer but would say enthusiastic, and can't see anything amiss. She's covered 100000 miles now.
[attachment=83843:P1050929.jpg]


Had to create a foil cocoon in order to make this a viable option for baking it.
[attachment=83844:P1050940.jpg]


Left over night to cure and reattached the next day. Shame shes not washed, next job is the manky headlight. Finished product is:
[attachment=83845:P1050945.jpg]
[attachment=83846:P1050941.jpg]
[attachment=83847:P1050942.jpg]
[attachment=83848:P1050944.jpg]


Any comments welcome


With front being cylinder 1 to back being 4 in order.

E1
[attachment=83849:P1050924.jpg]
E2
[attachment=83850:P1050925.jpg]
E3
[attachment=83851:P1050926.jpg]
E4
[attachment=83852:P1050927.jpg]
I1
[attachment=83853:P1050932.jpg]
I2
[attachment=83854:P1050933.jpg]
I3
[attachment=83855:P1050934.jpg]
I4
[attachment=83856:P1050935.jpg]

If you can see anything disastrous let me know,

Cheers for reading,

Earl

bigearl91

Edit to show correct valve images.

GreenmanS2000

Shot blaster?? Eek!

bigearl91

Would it be a bad idea to blast the old paint off? Always thought it would be a fairly non intrusive way of stripping it as long as done with care. Or am I wrong?

Cheers
Earl

Carbon S2K

Chemical dip or soda blasting as soda just dissolves in water so is easy to get rid of.

DaGou

mine was blasted, and powder coated, but if you send anything to a powder coater he is going to blast it. You just have to be super careful to clean it when you are done.

bigearl91

Chemical dip or soda blasting as soda just dissolves in water so is easy to get rid of.
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BenRNBP

You can't really tell anything about the retainers unless you remove them (they crack on the underside) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2hVrl92rE8

bigearl91

Ideal cheers. Wondering if a dental mirror would work for a look to avoid any deconstruction...

Really is easy to take the cover off and could be worth sparing the hour or two to take a good look under there then.

Cheers
Earl

champion_hero

Interesting - your car looks in similar shape to my 02/51, except mines now got 134k on her!
What did you use to get the old paint off? Did you cover the holes etc?
Did you replace the gasket? only ever taken the rocker cover off on my old escort when I was 18 and had to replace the gasket, as half of it came off with the cover (which was why I was taking it off in the first place!)

I also need to do my headlamps, but I'm going to have to try and respray the inside of one of mine due to water damage (long old story!). I'm going to try the less aggressive approach first and try the Meguirs 1 Step.