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'67 valve cover re-finishing

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by DAdams, Apr 14, 2011.

  1. DAdams

    DAdams Active Member

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    My Lemans valve covers need refinishing on my '67 500. Does anyone have paint recommendations for duplicating the grayish color of the cast surfaces. My plan was to coat the covers with the appropriate paint, block the paint off the top of the fins, then clearcoat the covers with a satin finish.
    If anyone has a better true and tried process please share it with me.

    Thank you.
     
  2. 557

    557 Well-Known Member

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    Not paint....raw aluminum....
     
  3. Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    They are supposed to be bare aluminum. Glass bead blast and give a bath in acidic Eagle One aluminum wash or the like before slightly polishing the fins. Not too many people try and paint them but the few that do end up with less then a original look . The correct finish is not difficult to maintain. Bob
     
  4. roddster

    roddster Well-Known Member

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    557 is correct. So, clean them well. If you want too, you could clear coat them. Some do not agreed with that. Also, to pretty them up you could polish the top of the fins with fine emery cloth. Again, do not do this if you are going to enter in Concours.
     
  5. DAdams

    DAdams Active Member

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    Sounds like the paint route is out. I'll give the recommended process a try this weekend.

    Thanks for all the input.
     
  6. Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    If you are concerned about oxidation because of a high moisture in the environment you are in then i would suggest rubbing on some Boe Shield metal protector (google search).It will dry to the touch if applied and wiped off with a rag. I use that on some magnesium wheels which normally oxidize overnight with superior results . If it does that good on magnesium it should over kill on aluminum. Bob
     
  7. BillH

    BillH Well-Known Member

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    I glass beaded the covers on my 65, polished the tops of the fins then used Zoop Seal. Two years later they still look good.
     
  8. 557

    557 Well-Known Member

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    So yeah anyhoo I let the guy who rebuilt the motor in my 67 gt500 back in 1985 polish my valvecovers....whoops!!!!!
    how do I get them back to a more original finish????glassbead???mediablast????just wondering...Trent
     
  9. Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    Trent,first I would tape over the fins so you don't have to work those again and then bead blast with a more aggressive media then glass beads. The glass beads will dull the shine but not give the look of sand casting that you are looking for. Probably a silica sand like you would use for heavy rust removal will give a course enough look. It is most prudent to try with a sacrifice part first to test your choice of sand before proceding to the real deal .The best of luck . Bob
     
  10. 557

    557 Well-Known Member

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    Thank You Bob that is most informative.:D:DTrent
     
  11. guntrucker

    guntrucker Member

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    Does anyone know the name of the manufacturer of the original closed letter Cobra valve covers for Ford.

    James
     
  12. Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    Ansen on the GT350 closed valve covers.
     
  13. guntrucker

    guntrucker Member

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    Mr Gaines, thank you so much for the name of the original manufacturer of the closed letter Cobra valve covers. I really appreciate it.

    James
     

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