68 GT convertible project
Got my valve covers basically done. I wanted to paint them black but that was a little boring. I looked online at pictures of custom covers to get some ideas. I found a couple pictures I liked...
![77500-Camaro-engine-R[1].jpg](https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/attachments/77500-camaro-engine-r-1-jpg.1715073439/ "77500-Camaro-engine-R[1].jpg")
![null_zps4d937c6e[1].jpg](https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/attachments/null_zps4d937c6e-1-jpg.1715073440/ "null_zps4d937c6e[1].jpg")
The first thing I did was take some scrap 1/4" thick aluminum and cut it into two 5/8" strips on the table saw. Once they were cut, I started smoothing the edges with a metal file to get rid of the saw marks. Once the sides were smooth, I rounded the ends and gave them a quick sanding. Here is what the rough pieces looked like laid on top of the covers.
I really wanted a clean look without seeing any fasteners holding the aluminum strips on. I contacted 3M about using double sided tape. Unfortunately, they don't have any double sided tape that will hold up to 250 degrees +. I ended up settling for studs/nuts on the bottom side. I bought some 10-24 threaded rod and cut it into 3/4" long studs. I drilled and tapped the aluminum for the studs and will use lock nuts on the under side of the valve covers. Not ideal but if I use an all metal(not nylon) lock nut, I don't think they will come loose.
Next, I sanded with finer and finer paper and then started buffing. I'm not very good at buffing aluminum but I was able to get these looking decent. I used two different buffing compounds and wheels from Harbor Freight. Last weekend I did some paint tests on the valve covers. The covers must have been anodized because paint didn't want to stick unless I sanded/roughed up the coating. So, yesterday I sanded the covers and sprayed them with Eastwood Extreme Chassis black. I'm really happy with how these turned out. I think they look great!
Got my valve covers basically done. I wanted to paint them black but that was a little boring. I looked online at pictures of custom covers to get some ideas. I found a couple pictures I liked...
The first thing I did was take some scrap 1/4" thick aluminum and cut it into two 5/8" strips on the table saw. Once they were cut, I started smoothing the edges with a metal file to get rid of the saw marks. Once the sides were smooth, I rounded the ends and gave them a quick sanding. Here is what the rough pieces looked like laid on top of the covers.
I really wanted a clean look without seeing any fasteners holding the aluminum strips on. I contacted 3M about using double sided tape. Unfortunately, they don't have any double sided tape that will hold up to 250 degrees +. I ended up settling for studs/nuts on the bottom side. I bought some 10-24 threaded rod and cut it into 3/4" long studs. I drilled and tapped the aluminum for the studs and will use lock nuts on the under side of the valve covers. Not ideal but if I use an all metal(not nylon) lock nut, I don't think they will come loose.
Next, I sanded with finer and finer paper and then started buffing. I'm not very good at buffing aluminum but I was able to get these looking decent. I used two different buffing compounds and wheels from Harbor Freight. Last weekend I did some paint tests on the valve covers. The covers must have been anodized because paint didn't want to stick unless I sanded/roughed up the coating. So, yesterday I sanded the covers and sprayed them with Eastwood Extreme Chassis black. I'm really happy with how these turned out. I think they look great!
