Which paint for valve covers?, High temp and doesn't scratch? Options

[SM2270]

Is there a durable, high temp paint for the stock valve covers? Regular engine paint scratches off the first time you pop in the bail wire. I have an "industrial" rustoleum paint that may work. But it says not for over 200F.

Thanks.
Scott.

[dmenche914]

Do not use powder coat, it is a good heat insulator, do not use thick or multi coats, again a good heat insulator, and finally flat/matt black is the color to use, as it will radiate the heat the best. The valve covers play an important part in cooling the engine oil at the heads. There are countless artilces in the VW world about this, many many authorities make this recommendation: Use a thin coat of flat black paint, high temp flat black is what to use.
scrape marks for the bail is just a fact of life on these cars. If you are worried about the marking up from the bail removal / install, place some thin card stock, or plactic thin board under the bail as you slip it on and off too protect the paint.


The valve covers are constantly coated in a layer of oil that runs down them, then back to the sump via pushrod tubes. the valve covers are in the air stream, and thus serve as a cooling surface for the oil (also note the thick cork gasket helps serve as a thermal barrier between the cover and the cylinder head)

Decades of VW racer, and stock car owners have been advised of this by the racing experts, and engine builders, one thin coat of flat black or a matt black is best for radiating heat. same goes for the engine case by the way, if you must paint your case, thin flat/matt black, but the case does not really need paint as it wont rust, and it does not serve as much as a heat radiator as the valve covers. See articles by the late Gene Berg, among others

powder coating, and thick colorful glossy paint looks nice, but has no place on the VW based aircooled motor, unless you want a show car that does not optimize cooling. It's an all show, not an all go thing to powder coat, or use glossy finish or thick paint.


thats the scoop.


good luck