Rocker-Cover cleanup

[Jfogs]

im looking to clean up my rocker cover but im not sure whether to clean it as best as possible with some type of commercial cleaner?? - - or if i should just take it off and repaint it?? if so what type paint would be best?

[stonesie]

Any paint will do really, some say you need VHT (high temperature) paint but the rocker cover does not get that hot!

You could get it powder coated too.


Mine is done in normal rattle can paint from Halfords in VW atlas grey.



After 7K miles it has no discolouration

[Jfogs]

yeah i'll probably take them off and paint them when i replace the timing belt.... that grey/metallic color looks awesome though

[Kedge]

What primer did you use on that Stonsie?

[BMJG]

also very interested spill the beans might do mine this weekend

[p520ip]

Nice job. About to do mine , Great Colour paint.

Regards,

Paul.

[capri_rob]

How do you get it properly clean before painting it ? Chemical cleaner or just rub down with wet and dry and then wipe over ?

[Jim320i]

Oooo... This is interesting... Can save myself a few quid and do it myself... I'm assuming you used standard Halfords primer too... As for cleaning, like Rob asks, what did you clean with? I got use of a De-carboniser so I can get my crystal, but others cant so its good to know...


As for the Inlet manifold, is that painted too? I would expect that to discolour but judging by yours, it hasn't... Although i'm assuming that picture is of when you first did them...

[Kedge]

When i did this on my cab i just got all the loose stuff off, degreased and then just painted it, didn't even both with primer since i was using VHT Wrinkle paint. Had the car a year after this done as was still perfect.

Would a high temp primer be a good idea then just use whaever paint over the top and lacquer? I not sure what colour i want to do it but won't be a VHT colour and i want i high closs finish to.

Thinking about it, i think you can get VHT lacquer as well so might use that as well.

[Jim320i]

Get some pics of before and after Dave... I will be doing the same soon as I get paid... Need to get a new gasket though if i'm taking the rocker cover off to do it... Anyone know the price of these?

[Kedge]

Get some pics of before and after Dave... I will be doing the same soon as I get paid... Need to get a new gasket though if i'm taking the rocker cover off to do it... Anyone know the price of these?

Keep an eye on my chromie thread for pics mate, should be getting under way in the next few weeks with this.

Pics of my cabs engine after painting it, can't really see the wrinkle effect that well though;

[stonesie]

I de-greased it with paraffin, rubbed it over with one of those cheap sponge sanding blocks then sanded the raised bits flat with a block and some wet and dry, rinsed it off and dried it.

Then Halfords grey primer x 2 coats.
Atlas grey x 3 coats.
Sanded the raised bits again with fine wet & dry, removed the dust with an air line.
Petrol resistant lacquer x 2 coats.

The grey had to be mixed for me and came in a Holts can, a little more pricey than Halfords own BUT these cans make 'fan' of paint rather than a cone so are much easier to get a good finish with


After all that I'm still toying with the idea of getting Healtoe to do me a powdercoated one

[Nay]

M20 rocker covers are soo common as well, just try collect at least 1 good spare. Then pray that as much as you want untill you have the look your after!