How to protect aluminium after vapor blasting

[RaceDiagnostics]

I plan to vapor blast my cam covers next week and want to leave them semi natural, not painted but I guess they will start to dis colour again fairly quickly.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to give them some sympathetic protection?

 

[brightspark]

spray them with 2k clear

 

[MattH]

Bluff and polish then finish with French talc for a bit of bling?

 

[hotrodder]

Dunno about the m117 engine and the pic doesn't look like it is but MB went through a phase of making valve covers from magnesium (m102, m103 & m104 engines all had mag rocker covers)

Whatever you use is gonna need regular TLC to prevent nature taking over, something like zoopseal (now called shineseal IIRC?) or one of the gtechnic concoctions that all the detailers valeters who swallowed a thesaurus rave about would probably last the longest but they ain't cheap. Stuff like jetseal 109 or even autoglym extra gloss protection are a lot cheaper but need reapplying more frequently, i tend to use one of those to keep fingerprints etc at bay on bare ally parts. Personally i'd paint 'em (black, silver or body colour) as it's one less thing to stay on top of

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Thanks guys. Will normal 2k clear be OK with the temp.

 

[Brad93]

Gtechniq make some nice products, they'd probably have something that does the job. I'd say that looks like magnesium from here. Seems to dark for aluminium.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

If it's magnesium or aly, do I need to treat or finish any differently?

 

[Crater Creator]

Thanks guys. Will normal 2k clear be OK with the temp.

For a rocker cover 2K will be fine.

 

[gaz_moose]

problem I found with painting blasted ally is that it makes it go grey. almost like you have just painted it in primer.

 

[brightspark]

problem I found with painting blasted ally is that it makes it go grey. almost like you have just painted it in primer.

verry true. if u want anything decent looking id sand blast it etch prime it base coat silver and 2 k laquer it

 

[Screwdriver]

Have you considered something like AC-F50? It's specifically designed to prevent corrosion/oxidation for Aluminium and works well on other metals.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

The cabinet, just big enough for the cam covers, I imagined that you would hold onto the nozzle and move over the work piece, however it had a fixed nozzle and you move the work piece. I think it would be difficult to hold onto the nozzle and control it due to the water pressure.

Still undecided as to how to finish.

 

[brightspark]

well now u have vapour blasted it it will be smooth so nowt much will adhere to it and ally needs acid etch to get a good key

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I will probably go down the ACF-50 route, gave one a rub with wire wool and autosol this evening and it came up quite well, the downside is it will need doing once a year.

Half done in about 45 minutes

 

[Screwdriver]

You're welcome.