fiskarflugen

I would like to refinish my leaky timing chain covers as they are fairly pitted and flaky. What is the right way to do this? Have folks had these media blasted and powder coated on the inside? Can I just sand them and bake with engine epoxy? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

cobalt

They are magnesium and if pitted may require replacement. If not make sure you clean them properly and don't allow them to sit without being coated for too long otherwise they will begin to corrode even if you can't see it.

You can try epoxy I have found Por15 has a some nice products that are self leveling and make a good coating and bond to the surface.

ras62

Do not powder coat the insides!

FeralComprehension

I think you can PC the insides. I did my valve covers and the coating held up fine.

fiskarflugen

The POR 15 is a good idea. The inner/powder coating debate continues!

FeralComprehension

I just re-blasted my valve covers to PC them again (had some coating failures on the outside surfaces; my fault for not keeping them clean in the winter) and the PC on the inside was in perfect condition after 3 years and 25k miles.

I'm convinced.

cobalt

Don't forget so long as you have no water in your oil that the oil is a protectant for the magnesium. So long as there is no loss of material to contaminate the oil either should work but no coating should not be an issue for the inner portion of the covers.

Oakite makes some paraffin based rust inhibiting oils that leaves a protective film if you can't coat them and need to store them for several months. You should also wrap them in some form of barrier paper or way to keep moisture away.

DobermanDad

The only thing with powder coating the inside that worries me is not being able to get a proper seal.

FeralComprehension

Why? Done properly the PC is far smoother than the mag.

I'll confess that on the VC seals I always use a smear of Hylomar, but leakage from under there hasn't been an issue. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the motor

ETA: I'm doing all the blasting and powdercoating this week/next week- shoot me a PM if you want to stop by and check it out. I'm doing calipers too, but the support surfaces for the springplates are so pitted that I think I'll need to level them with JB Weld before I can coat. This can't be an uncommon issue, so my plan is to put up a separate thread. I'm expecting people to be horrified, tbh.

ras62

The inside is protected by oil, nothing else is necessary and it certainly doesn't need to look pretty. The biggest issue is if the coating comes away and finds itself blocking oil ways. It can never happen? Even when a mech is working on the car, it cant get chipped? Why take the risk?

AOW162435

I refinished mine earlier this year while tackling a number of other items under the car:















Andreas

DobermanDad

May not have time this weekend, but next week I may. What color are you PCing the calipers?

JasonAndreas

Care to share your recipe?

cobalt

I still recommend the POR 15 products especially the caliper paint. It is easy to work with self leveling and as durable as PC. Makes a ceramic coating. A pint will cover a ton or pieces. i did the rotor hubs and calipers on my sons Audi and used about 3/8" off the top of a pint and they look great and have held up perfectly. They look nearly identical to the factory big black finish.

Interesting way to support your engine?

RicardoD

Cobalt (Anthony),

Can you share the POR 15 products and process you use? I am trying to decide what to do with my Cam chain housing covers well as the Cam chain housing itself.