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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Cleaning/Painting Rover valve covers

I just brought home a set of Rover valve covers from a dismantler. They are unpainted, in nice shape but for light corrosion. SD1/ early type..Wondering how I should clean these up and protect them. I've seen some on cars that seem to be clear coated after bead blasting. I would like to end up with natural finish with the top ribs body color. Has anyone annodized them out there.

Morgan
Morgan Sellgren

Morgan,
In terms of stripping paint, I have been pointed to "aircraft stripper" by a number of people. It should be available at your local Schucks/Napa. I had a hard time fiding it as they only had one bottle and it was mixed into the other stripper, but they do carry it. I have been told it is much stronger than regular stripper.

I am hoping to do the opposite on my parts. I what to buff then untill they have a polish then paint the inset areas. I think the only way to do what you want would be to use stiff foam brushes that will not drop into the ressesed area..

Larry
Larry Embrey

Larry..I think I explained wrong. I too want the resessed areas painted and a bright to polished look on the main part. I just don't relish the thought of polishing them all the time, can they be clear coated after? I have no paint to remove as they are natural finish. Should I start with a bead blast?

Morgan
Morgan

Morgan, be aware bead blasting will take away any natural grain or looks of the metal. When I see stuff blasted it always comes out a dull gray color. That is were using stripper helps.

From what I know you SHOULD be able to clear coat them. Once Again, Schucks or Napa is your place. They have cans of clear coat hi temp, just like the blue, black, white, alum colors they sell. 500F stuff used for engine blocks etc. I bought Ford Blue, Black, Alum and Clear for doing my dressing up this year. I have NO idea what the Alum will look like, but am going to find out. I plan on polishing up the raised areas 1st, making sure they are as I want them. Then mask off the raised areas and shoot the lower sections. wording will be black inset the Ford logo Old ford blue. then remove masking, check everything is how I want it, buff any bad spots and shoot everything with clear..

Larry Embrey

Morgan,

I polished my covers and as long as you don't live in a salty area, you don't need to polih these very frequently. I polish mine, approx. twice a year. The advantage of a polished smooth area is that dirt doesn't stick to it. Besides that it looks great.
Regards
Peter
Peter van de Velde

I too painted mine. But the first time I did it I masked all the ribs/fins. PITA. Didn’t turn out too well as the paint edge wasn’t as sharp as I wanted. The second time I painted them I painted the whole rocker cover and then once the paint had cured I used steel wool to take the paint off the ribs/fins.
Bruce

I'd be inclined to carefully wipe most of the the paint off the rib tops whilst still wet, using a lint free cloth. This is a whole lot easier than masking before or cleaning off dried paint after. Pete
Pete Green

Real Steel do anodized rocker covers -

mailto:sales@realsteel.co.uk

or get them anodized locally.
Chris Betson

I have a set of brand new 'early' Rover rocker covers - unpainted - with screws & gaskets if anybody is interested.

Dave
Dave Wellings

I used a medium grit paper with a very flat block to get the ribs cleared of paint & finished off with a fine grit paper & then a coat of clear laquer.A word of caution. Not all types of paint adhere to alloy.I used engine enamel at first & they looked great for about 8 months until the paint peeled off. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Barrie

Re "Not all types of paint adhere to alloy"
So that expains why every few months I have to strip mine and repaint. Thought I was just doing a lousy cleaning job. What kind of alloy are the rockers and what kind of paint did you use?

Bruce
Bruce

--Dave Wellings..Please e-mail me with info on those valve covers. Starting new would sure make it easier.

Thanks, Morgan
Morgan Sellgren

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2002 and 27/11/2002

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