by "Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
Published 05/11/2017 at 13:10
by "Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
Published 05/11/2017 at 13:10
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STARS: 5
Since last we spake, when mine heart had an ache, my Audis still broke, dreams of restoration up in smoke. But alas my dram lives! For Germany still gives! Work will begin! The E30 will win the heats and the minds of petrolheads of all kinds! So join me now with a simple task to allow a vehicles value increase and depreciation to cease! A simple task, no help needed to ask, and soon a factory finish will appear and the hearts of all will it endear.
So I painted my valve cover.
Well, I went to adjust the vales on the old E30 because noisy top end and hesitation. While I was in there and the valve cover was off, I painted it.
First thing I did was use a brown sanding disc on an angle grinder to brighten up the BMW and lines because they were nasty with years of neglect.
Next I covered the freshly cleaned raised part with tape.
Painstakingly cutting out the design
And here’s what I taped. Notice I taped the breather (for lack of a better term) nipple and oil filler. This is for better sealing and because I didn’t want any paint on the engine side of the pan. Also, because I didn’t take a picture if it, I used the brown sanding disc to clean the oxidation and dirt from the pan. I followed that up with a wet sand with 400 grit to get rid of the swirling and deep scratches.
One coat
Four coats
Done
Installed it added so much beauty it’s unreal. I just used Hi-Temp engine enamel in flat black. Remember to tape and prep really well to get a good result. Took about 90 minutes. Adjusting the valves took longer.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
05/11/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 0
Any thoughts or reasoning behind taping off the raised bits as opposed to painting everything and sanding those bits back down to metal?
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
05/11/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0
A lovely job. I kinda miss my E30 every now and then, but not enough to get nostalgic. I was a major issue at every turn lol.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
05/11/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0
Does anyone know what happens to magnesium alloy valve covers if you don’t paint them since we’re talking about valve covers. I stripped my e39 valve covers down to metal with a wire brush since I have them off and someone did a shitty paint job over the shitty paint job from bmw and paint was flaking all over. Now I don’t really want to paint them unless I have too. Apparently getting paint to stick well to magnesium is a bitch.
"Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
05/11/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 1
My reasoning is my clumsiness. I possess the skills and patience to paint it all and then sand it off but I don’t trust myself. Plus I ended up with some killer sharp lines and I totally dig that.
"Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
05/11/2017 at 14:34, STARS: 1
I’ve had the car for 4 months and have put $1500 in it after purchase. I totally understand. But really I’ve been fixing the “old car issues” mostly maintenance items. Bushings, tie rods, shocks, brakes, etc.
"Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
05/11/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 0
Not a clue. Replace the magnesium with aluminum if you can. A good adhesion promotion goes a long way on aluminum
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
05/11/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 0
Would if I could. Genuine BMW replacements are same material and ever M62 I’ve seen has the same issue with the factory paint flaking. Not to mention the Replacements are another 800$ that I don’t feel like spending.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
05/11/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 0
I bought mine for $425.... Running ish.... Spent over a year of two around the same amount and then the radiator cracked, the head gasket went and I sold it for $500
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
05/11/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 0
Man I did my e30s brakes last weekend, ending up needing a new right rear caliper. Oreilly’s magically had one next day for me put it on, go drive it only to discover that the left rear wheel bearing is going out causing the caliper mounting bracket to grind against the brand new rotor.
"Forge Crown Victor!" (metallicaman0258)
05/11/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 1
I paid considerably more for mine and have half of what I paid for it back into it for repairs. I plan on selling soon and making a tidy profit
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
05/11/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
Nice, sounds good