How do I achieve this colour finish? M42 valve cover re-painting

[jeebuzcrist]

As the title says, here's what i'm trying to achieve.
m42 valve cover - Imgur

Same photos are attached to thread.

I like the top two the most.

After prepping and cleaning the surfaces, What paint do I use? Assuming it is in fact paint, and not the colour of the metal?

Doing the work whilst a timing and head gasket service is done, anything else I should Clean/paint while I'm at it?

[Tzantushka]

IMHO a few options...

BEST
vapour honing / wet blasting = gives a nice finish, especially on cast alloy surfaces

BETTER
sandblast (or a very good clean through some other means) + Engine enamel e.g. VHT engine paint
(but it's paint and need to treat accordingly)

GOOD
Sandblasting = gives a rough finish,

[jeebuzcrist]

IMHO a few options...

BEST
vapour honing / wet blasting = gives a nice finish, especially on cast alloy surfaces

BETTER
sandblast (or a very good clean through some other means) + Engine enamel e.g. VHT engine paint
(but it's paint and need to treat accordingly)

GOOD
Sandblasting = gives a rough finish,

Thanks so much.

I've been doing a bit of googling... Wet blasting does seem to leave a good finish and is probably the simplest option.. Someone from the fb E30 group I'm on haid theirs wet blasted and it sort of looks like there is still some discolouration/staining. Saw similar on google, it looks to work really really well for newer parts, but older parts appear to struggle a bit to get them fully clean?

I might stick with vht paint at this stage. Someone from fb also showed me theirs which they powder coated, it looked really really good. I might try get some quotes on powder coating as well Incase it's affordable.

Thanks!

[digger]

i would look to get it powder coated. any textured/blasted bare finish will be harder to keep looking clean in the long run

[D.Martijn]

I've had great luck with glass bead blasting (dry) and afterwards using a quartz coating (Gyeon Q2 Rim) to ad an extra layer of protection.
It's resistant up to some pretty high temps as the coating is meant for wheels/exhausts + oil wipes of very easy and it doesn't stain.

I don't like to look of the vapor honing, to me the aluminium just "shines" to much..

It's been I think 3 years and it still looks perfect

[varg]

That blasted then clear coated look is really nice.

[82eye]

rough sand and engine paint for comparison












also think the blasted and clear look is the best of them all for aluminum.