Possibly a rehashed question, but the previous owner rattle canned the valve cover black. We would like to return it to its original red color. I'm a fan of powdercoating and took advantage of the holiday to have drop off the piece at a local powdercoater (first visit!).

We certainly had concerns over the baffling on the underside and cleaning the blast media out post refinish - any would spell death to the engine. They had concerns too and planned to 'hot-tank the part instead. There were still concerns of what is inside the baffle...to my question:

What is inside the baffling? Anything? Steel wool material? If nothing, we are in business. If something else, could prove challenging to clean the chemicals...

Comments? Thanks!

 

There is nothing under the baffle plates, sent my valve cover off to my local powder coating shop just last week, he told me to wash the **** out of it when i got it back to clean media from underneath but I wont have piece of mind not knowing if its 100 percent clean so im likely going to remove the rivets and replace with thread locker. Here is a good thread on just this topic:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...lve-cover.html

 

AllAccessedEvolution: You are right - apologies for the thread reduntancy. That did not come up in my abbreviated search...

 

Either soda blast or remove the baffles. I wouldn't trust anything else.

 

Hi Tim,
Look at your PM here and call me on Saturday or Sunday after 1400 .
I can you provide with a few things regarding your rebuilt esp. parts you should avoid for street use also.

NO BLASTING of the cover at all with installed Baffles...
Also they are sealed to the cover, so hot tanking could harm the sealer ( more oil will get out )...
Best for Powder coating will be glass blasting...removing the baffles before, Cutting many M3 or M4 Holes and reapply the baffles with sealer and Green Loctide with small screws...
I done it a few times...its not an nice job.. but has to be done sometimes.

Also you dont want an too thick coating, because the coating will crack under the VC screws... sometimes...

 

I put a new engine in my evo recently and spent some time deliberating between buying a new VC (now wish I had since VIII covers are disco), refinishing my old VC at home with spray paint, and having it professionally PC'd by a reputable shop.

Being a new dad, the least expensive option won out.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-refinish.html

Mine is far from perfect. If you are looking for New in Box factory quality, this color match is not 100% and your skills at prep and paint will obviously be the biggest factors. I'm pretty confident it won't have the durability of the factory finish either. Overall I am happy given the money and time spent and the improvement vs the original that was looking a little ragged after 116k miles.

 

german_evoVII: we may be in need of your assistance. Our order for main bearings was just extended a couple of months! We will be in touch. Thanks!

Apex Hunter: your valve cover turned out quite impressively! That would have been a great project although temps and 'rules' here may have been more challenging. Powdercoating is a favorite of mine, but it isn't cheap nor ideal for everything. Thanks for posting another option!