awdinut

I have to have a valve cover gasket replaced, and that valve cover has the lines of bubbled paint which bugs me whenever I look under the hood. So when its off would be the time to repaint.

The paint is presumably bubbling because of corrosion under the paint, and that means the re would be some grinding out of the corroded areas. And that means the ground areas would need to be surfaced-up flush before painting.

All of which brings me to my question: what product could be used to surface the ground out spots that can withstand the heat of the engine ? I think JB Weld is good to 400 degrees, but I dont know how hot the valve covers get (question #2).

mishar

I don't think there is any corrosion there. So just powder painting. Red, off course.

Mirror polishing may be the way to go. A bit of Harley look.

awdinut

I think there has to be something going on with the aluminum under those strips of raised paint...why else would the paint be doing that ?

1Wasserwerks

I would prefer to have them stripped, aluminum ceramic coated and then hand polish with simichrome polish. As viewed on my 90' VW GLI 16V....

bmwm750

Agreed. Nice, long lasting solution.

Second choice would be powder coat.

mishar

Aluminum is generally difficult to paint. Requires right primer. Temperature (not more than 90°C 194°F) doesn't help either. I think that it is just paint pealing of aluminum. Than again, if you already decided to fix it go ahead and peal a section. Be a pioneer.

Another way to do it is anodizing. Just choose a color. It's not expensive.

aTOMic

Take it to a powdercoater with a good reputation in your area. They'll sandblast and coat it. I doubt the corrosion is more than "skin-deep". The powdercoat covers lots of flaws, like thick paint would. Where my paint bubbled up it's smooth beneath.
If you want it mirror-polished and clear-coated (chrome look), the best I know of is Advanced Plating in Nashville. To polish a valve cover like ours is very labor intensive, I bet $350 plus finish. But it will be PERFECT. overkill for our valvecovers. They mostly do showcars. If you go that route tell Steve Tracy (owner) I sent you. We go back. They do a LOT of online / ups work.

Anodizing will highlight every flaw I'm afraid. After a good sandblaster finishes might not be too bad.