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By Jim - 15 Years Ago
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I have had a set of NOS Thunderbird Valve covers (still in their boxes) fall into my hands. Before these go onto the engine, I want to take steps to ensure that they stay shiny and new looking. Any thoughts on the best way to protect these from grime, oxidation? I have thought of clear coating them, but there may be a better solution. Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.
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By John F - 15 Years Ago
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POR 15 has a clear top coat for polished aluminum and chrome. You can buy it from Eastwood, or directly from POR 15 on line.
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By LON - 15 Years Ago
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Jim , Talk to Robin or David Church . Don't they do powder coating ??? Jayson bought a set of March pulleys, A/C pump ,billet Alt ,billet P/S pump for a SBF in Los Angeles .They have a clear coat on them .Never need polishing ,just wipe them with a damp cloth ..At first I thought they were expensive ,but when you see them in the flesh ,they are worth every penny . Lon
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By Ted - 15 Years Ago
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Jim. I had my covers for my ’55 ceramic coated in 1990. Still nice and shiny and clean up easily. Although HPC in Oklahoma City did my particular set, Jet Hot and other companies are around with similar coatings.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 15 Years Ago
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Jim: Be aware that the T-Bird covers are slightly taller than the passenger ones, so slightly longer mounting studs were used by the factory. Just letting you know about it so you won't pull your hair out when you see you can't use the grommets and still get the nuts on. Sorry about that hair comment, couldn't resist.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 15 Years Ago
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I used "Zoop Seal" (bought from Eastwood?) on mine after polishing. No staining/corrosion yet after 3 years, but re-application is overdue. It's not cheap or permanent, but bare aluminum always looked best to me. Clear-coat or chrome just not the same. At least NOS aluminum won't be permeated with oil, which I understand can cause paint/coating failure (?).
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By Jim - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks John,
I already have T-bird covers on the motor but they are well used and have some pitting. I have spent a lot of time with polishing compound and wheels, but they still look old.
I thought of ceramic coating, but if it is like my headers, they are a dull chrome look. I'll take a look at Ted's next time I make a Waco run.
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By yehaabill - 15 Years Ago
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Y-Guy Jim: Ask Ted, to take a photo, so we all can see.... Bill
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By Johnson Rod - 15 Years Ago
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DANIEL TINDER (2/16/2009)
I used "Zoop Seal" (bought from Eastwood?) on mine after polishing. No staining/corrosion yet after 3 years, but re-application is overdue. It's not cheap or permanent, but bare aluminum always looked best to me. Clear-coat or chrome just not the same. At least NOS aluminum won't be permeated with oil, which I understand can cause paint/coating failure (?).
Danial you are correct, Eastwood carries it. I saw it on E-Bay of all places, didn't know Eastwood sold stuff on E-Bay...
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By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
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The plating works over on Sixth Ave. in Tucson suggested (1) Powdercoat clear and (2) Chrome Plating (?). They also recommended a local bike shop guy who specializes polishing inside the fins - which I must assume will still be necessary on new Ford covers. My machinist suggested anodizing in gold or other colors - but I would guess this would be best used on an old set. He does this to the custom heat sinks he builds for various aerospace outfits. Anodizing in silver might be a good bet - but it won't be bright.
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By Ted - 15 Years Ago
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Not clean here but here’s a pic of my engine from a past thread. 
The intake and exhaust manifolds are also ceramic coated while both the covers and intake do clean up nicely with either carburetor or brake cleaner. I originally went the ceramic coating route simply because I wanted something that would be maintenance free and it’s definitely been that. The Jet Hot ceramic coating on my roadster headers was extremely bright and shiny for a year until I did a dyno session with them at which point they dulled. The 1300°F-1400°F throwed at them was just too much but a set of covers would never see anything like that.
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By Missouri Mike - 15 Years Ago
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Ted- I notice you're running a heat shield between the exhaust and valve covers. Does that make a big difference???? Thanks Mo Mike
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By pegleg - 15 Years Ago
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You can find all kinds of different aluminum polishes at the motorcycle shops, or get a can of polishing compound at the auto store. Gives you something to do when it's too cold to race. Like now.
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By bird55 - 15 Years Ago
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Theses were professionally polished about 35?? years ago. I've used soap and water, sometimes windex.
They are old and grey, just like me.
And…just the way I like 'em, with some character. 
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By joey - 15 Years Ago
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These are original. I just clean them by hand with a solution of Truegreen, and carefully use a little scotchbrite on the trouble spots. 
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By Ted - 15 Years Ago
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Missouri Mike (2/17/2009)
Ted....I notice you're running a heat shield between the exhaust and valve covers. Does that make a big difference???? Those truck exhaust gaskets on my 272 are being used in lieu of the metallic/fiber gaskets that come in the engine rebuild kits. After experiencing some sporadic manifold cracking issues when using the fiber backed gaskets, the all-metal truck gaskets stopped the problem altogether. As far as protecting the valve covers from any excesses in heat radiating from the manifolds, the heat shield portions of the gasket are just a bonus but not particularly necessary.
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By ejstith - 15 Years Ago
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When I got mine they were pretty ragged but I polished and polished and finally got them shiny. I painted the grooves with black paint. When done I did regular clear coat but I should have used some kind of heat clear coat. Mine's already sort of bubbling. They still look pretty good.
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