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Subject: Valve cover and AFM painting project results Author: davidc (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 10552 posts Posted on: 2004-08-15 20:53:33

OK, the results are in and I think the completed project looks terrific, cleaning up what had been a fairly dingy engine area.




The valve cover, the metal braces attaching to the top of the valve cover and the AFM were all powder-coated black with a "crinkle" finish. I saw it once on a Porsche and really liked it. It looks fantastic on the bimmer, too -- completely "factory". Before applying the powder-coat paint, the pieces were cleaned and blasted using aluminum oxide, which is less abrasive than regular sand-blasting. Dan and Jason Evans of Evans Performance in Cumming, GA, did a good job. I'd recommend them again.

The white and blue fields in the roundel logo on the valve cover were hand painted (by my lovely wife) with enamel paint. I think it should hold up well, but time will tell. The metal pipe going across the back of the engine bay for the hood latch was removed, cleaned and sanded with 400 grit sandpaper, then sprayed with aluminum paint, too.

The AFM was cleaned and coated with hi-temp Dupli-color aluminum spray paint. I didn't have it powder-coated because I was concerned that the electronics and plastic inside it wouldn't withstand the 400 degree (F) baking process.


The hood latch bar removed for painting.




Before and after shots of the the valve cover before painting, with the AFM and air intake removed.








Before and after shots of the AFM painting process.

David Cecil
'97 740iL, 126k miles
'86 735i, 94k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• Valve cover and AFM painting project results (pic) (url) - davidc 2004-08-15 20:53:33 (2931 views)
  • Re: Valve cover and AFM painting project results - dave88te 2004-08-16 19:39:16 (444 views)
    • There are three rubber mounts on the AFM (pic) - davidc 2004-08-16 20:39:19 (617 views)
      • Re: There are three rubber mounts on the AFM - dave88te 2004-08-17 15:45:47 (388 views)
  • Re: Valve cover and AFM painting project results - dave88te 2004-08-16 19:21:32 (444 views)
    • Yes, they polished the raised 'ribs'. No clearcoat, though. (nt) - davidc 2004-08-16 19:29:31 (350 views)
  • looks great...did you sand the AFM? (nt) - Kevin Elmore '86 735i VA 2004-08-16 12:07:42 (303 views)
    • yes, with 400-grit sandpaper (nt) - davidc 2004-08-16 12:20:19 (300 views)
  • Re: Valve cover and AFM painting project results - ejonesie22 2004-08-16 09:15:40 (409 views)
    • Man, don't say that! This is like a disease. When will I stop? (nt) - davidc 2004-08-16 10:43:15 (332 views)
      • OCD is a beautiful thing. (nt) - dave88te 2004-08-16 20:37:19 (332 views)
        • OK, I'll bite. What's OCD mean? (nt) - davidc 2004-08-16 20:40:14 (346 views)
          • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder :) (nt) - Kevin Elmore '86 735i VA 2004-08-17 02:21:03 (379 views)
            • HA! My wife certainly thinks so! (nt) - davidc 2004-08-17 02:23:26 (278 views)
      • Re: Man, don't say that! This is like a disease. When will I stop? - ejonesie22 2004-08-16 19:10:07 (510 views)