Author Topic: I rolled my pagoda last night... (Read 72784 times)

johnk · « **Reply #150 on:** January 20, 2020, 03:55:56 »

Engines just about done so I had to finally finish my valve cover. To bead blast it like the rest of my aluminum Schvegel suggested bolting it to a board to keep the beads out of the channel inside the cover.

I added some caulk and my old valve cover gasket to the equation and great results- not a single glass bead on the inside.

Pawel66 · « **Reply #151 on:** January 20, 2020, 05:31:10 »

Looks terrific!

dirkbalter · « **Reply #152 on:** January 20, 2020, 16:09:32 »

Hi John,

Looks great.
Do you leave the cover as is or do you apply any protective coating? What kind of beads (grit) are you using and where do you get it from. If you don't mind me asking?
Thanks

johnk · « **Reply #153 on:** January 20, 2020, 17:06:41 »

Dirk
I used glass beads. I coated the rest of my Aluminum with Nyalic clear spray. I’m going to wash it now with Starbrite aluminum (boat) cleaner. I will probably use the Nyalic again but I may test a satin clear first.

Thanks
John

dirkbalter · « **Reply #154 on:** January 20, 2020, 17:29:39 »

John,
thanks, appreciate it. I am still blasting my steel parts. I will have to switch to glass once I start with the aluminum.

johnk · « **Reply #155 on:** January 20, 2020, 18:23:53 »

Dirk
Sorry I didn't answer what grit and where I got it. I bought the beads two years ago, probably from Eastwood or Harbor Freight. I don't remember what grit though. I can look at the bag this weekend and let you know. Interesting point though. If I can find a finer grit it would be worth making a second pass to give it a natural low lustre. I tried going over it after the glass beads with Soda. The soda did nothing but fog up the cabinet.

If you look back at my earlier stages of this thread you will find pics of the other aluminum parts I did.

John

dirkbalter · « **Reply #156 on:** January 20, 2020, 18:38:17 »

John,
good to know. I was looking at MSC for the media and they offer different grits. That's why I asked.

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09118282

Thanks

MikeSimon · « **Reply #157 on:** January 21, 2020, 13:22:31 »

Blasting aluminum is best done with a process called Vapor Blasting. Unless you have the expensive equipment, you cannot do it yourself, but it is definitely worth finding a shop that can do it.
I have all my aluminum motorcycle parts (engine covers, cylinder heads and barrels, etc) done this way and they come out like new.

johnk · « **Reply #158 on:** January 21, 2020, 17:10:43 »

Quote from: MikeSimon on January 21, 2020, 13:22:31

Blasting aluminum is best done with a process called Vapor Blasting. Unless you have the expensive equipment, you cannot do it yourself, but it is definitely worth finding a shop that can do it.
I have all my aluminum motorcycle parts (engine covers, cylinder heads and barrels, etc) done this way and they come out like new.

Mike
I agree that vapor blasting looks great but it can be fairly expensive. Did you have it done locally?

MikeSimon · « **Reply #159 on:** January 21, 2020, 18:32:25 »

Yes, John, locally. I have a friend who has a powder coating business. He also does vapor blasting. The charges are usually by the hour. I cannot think the valve cover would be that expensive.

johnk · « **Reply #160 on:** January 21, 2020, 18:47:37 »

Great mike. Can you send me his contact info please!

johnk · « **Reply #161 on:** January 21, 2020, 18:52:03 »

So I just ordered my timevalve exhaust. I will be ceramic coating it in black with Ceracote after it’s welded. I see that the Mercedes tips are $80 each. Has anybody ordered the Ansel tips instead? Wondering how noticeable the difference is vs the polished OEM tips.

MikeSimon · « **Reply #162 on:** January 21, 2020, 21:09:25 »

John: Do you want me to check into getting some stuff done for you? Send me an e-mail mike.simon70@yahoo.com

johnk · « **Reply #163 on:** January 21, 2020, 21:54:42 »

yes please thanks Mike. I just emailed you.

John

MikeSimon · « **Reply #164 on:** February 01, 2020, 21:44:26 »

While checking on the part for John, I decided to have my intake manifold vapor blasted. I got it back today.
Very happy with the result. The last picture was a "before" shot

johnk · « **Reply #165 on:** February 02, 2020, 01:43:53 »

really nice Mike! Looking forward to seeing what he can do with my valve cover. It’s still not as uniform as I would like.

johnk · « **Reply #166 on:** February 03, 2020, 02:46:25 »

So big step today. Finally joined the engine with the front suspension. using a trolley supplied by Schvegel that works great!

I will post more pics once I finish installing the rest of the components.

doitwright · « **Reply #167 on:** February 03, 2020, 05:29:08 »

John,

If you use the sedan bracket for the AC compressor you will likely need the taller neck for the top of the thermostat housing where the hose connects as to the radiator. I have seen some on eBay recently.

johnk · « **Reply #168 on:** February 03, 2020, 16:11:48 »

Thanks Frank. I am going with the original bracket though.

johnk · « **Reply #169 on:** February 04, 2020, 23:23:04 »

So I ordered my Timevalve exhaust but I plan on ceramic coating it to to match the original factory look. does anyone know what color the exhaust was from the factory? I know the MB muffler I ordered four years ago came in silver, but I though I read a while ago of some members coating their stainless exhaust in black.

johnk · « **Reply #170 on:** February 05, 2020, 03:32:44 »

Quote from: dirkbalter on January 20, 2020, 16:09:32

Hi John,

Looks great.
Do you leave the cover as is or do you apply any protective coating? What kind of beads (grit) are you using and where do you get it from. If you don't mind me asking?

Dirk
I checked the glass bead bag and it doesn’t list the grit. I would guess it’s the medium grade

John
Thanks

johnk · « **Reply #171 on:** February 22, 2020, 00:23:08 »

I just received my new “not embossed” VIN tag today From Authentic Classics. Looks so much better than the old. I just need to get it embossed now.

johnk · « **Reply #172 on:** February 22, 2020, 00:32:56 »

So Mike Simon talked me in to having his friend vapor blast my valve cover. Wow what an amazing difference!! While my media blaster cover looked great in a picture or from 5 feet away it really had a blotchy I uneven finish.

It now has a new smooth and consistent finish; looks like it’s from a concourse restoration shop! In addition the shop does not recommend or see a need to protect the finish with a clear satin paint. They said while the friction heat from bead blasting opens the pores in the aluminum the cool peening from vapor blasting closes the pores preventing oxidation and the absorption of dirt and grease.

johnk · « **Reply #173 on:** February 22, 2020, 00:37:04 »

A few more pics

hauser · « **Reply #174 on:** February 22, 2020, 03:40:48 »

John it looking awesome!

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Author Topic: I rolled my pagoda last night... (Read 72784 times)

hauser