ojaieldo Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Planning on installing new wires etc. on my Eldo. and looking at the beauty cover and valve covers, after 91,000 miles they are looking ratty. The paint seems to have crinkled or bubbled probably from heat, has anyone repainted their top end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 I was in the same boat as you are. I just got a new top cover for $30 I think it was on eBay. The valve cover I was going to replace with a new or like new one, but I could never find a used one that looked good enough, and I was not about to shell out $400+ on a new one, so I left it as is. Looks good with the top cover, but still needs the front cam cover. I may swap later, but for now I am not going to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 I have painted my engine block, intake manifold and front cam cover. I use Dupli-Color Engine Enamel Ceramic, 500-degree heat tested spray paint. I bought this paint at Kragen's, I am sure it is sold in other stores as well. I have built engines for many years and this is the best paint I have ever found to use on engines. It covers well, dries quick and after "cooking" to a cure on a hot engine, it looks and lasts great. I used this paint on several other engines, using different colors, and I can highly recommend this engine paint for it color, coverage and lasting looks. For the Northstar I use: Aluminum DE 1615 (two coats) Allow to dry, and then apply: Clear DE 1636 (two coats) If you want you can also just wash the silver parts very clean and apply just the Clear DE 1636, it will nearly bring back the original looks (the original silver darkened over time). I also use Krylon Glossy Black for the black engine items, it holds up well. The original intake and cam covers were powder paint. Over time it apparently reacts with the magnesium and you get bubbles or wrinkles. I did not want to break the few I had open and try to smooth them out. I did not want to open that can of worms. I was afraid if I did it strip them it would be difficult to fill in the likely corrosion/erosion in the metal, with a suitable material that would take the under hood conditions and not react with the new paint. Unless you plan on chroming I would not break through the powder paint, just clean it very well, scuff it thoroughly with 350 wet/dry sand paper, wash with detergent and paint them. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poobah Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Unless you plan on chroming I would not break through the powder paint, Can these magnesium parts be chrome plated? Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ojaieldo Posted June 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Thankyou so much guys! I'll try the repaint on the cam covers, but it sounds like I will try to buy a new beauty cover Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 Unless you plan on chroming I would not break through the powder paint, Can these magnesium parts be chrome plated? I believe any shop that can plate aluminum can plate magnesium also. Try a place that does motorcycle plating, we are a demanding lot. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 Thankyou so much guys! I'll try the repaint on the cam covers, but it sounds like I will try to buy a new beauty cover Randy The intake cover on the 93-94 Northstar is NOT a beauty cover. It is actually the top of a two piece magnesiom intake manifold. It sanwichs the fuel rail to the lower half of the manifold, use caution if removing to clean. Later model Northstars did use a plastic beauty cover, which will not work on yours. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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