VHT Cast Aluminum

[Alan73Charger]

Has anyone worked with this paint?  I'm looking at some valve covers that the owner has painted  VHT cast aluminum.  I would want to change them to mopar blue.  Would I need to strip them down and start over, or could I simply sand them to dull and paint right over this stuff? 

Thanks

[PlainfieldCharger]

Painted my grill with VHT. It has held up well for the 2 years it's been on the car....It was also wheel paint if that matters to you...

[Pete in NH]

Hi Alan,

The safest thing to do would be strip them to bare metal, that's what I would do. Then there is no chance of the new paint reacting badly with the old paint and wrinkling it up.

[Alan73Charger]

Hi Alan,

The safest thing to do would be strip them to bare metal, that's what I would do. Then there is no chance of the new paint reacting badly with the old paint and wrinkling it up.

Thanks Pete.  More work, but your probably right.

[B5 Charger]

If you're willing to strip them anyway might as well try a test spot to see how the paint reacts.  Might not have to strip them at all and if it does wrinkle the paint you can go ahead and strip them.  I've had pretty good luck with VHT, I bet the Corp. blue would go right over it with no problems.     Either way post some pictures I'd like to see how they come out.

[Dino]

Check what type of paint it is and if it's compatible with the paint you want to lay over it.  It's always best to remove it though, you never know how well or poor the prep was done before the VHT was painted on.

It doesn't take much to clean them up either.   Some aircraft strpper will take care of that.

[Alan73Charger]

Check what type of paint it is and if it's compatible with the paint you want to lay over it.  It's always best to remove it though, you never know how well or poor the prep was done before the VHT was painted on.

It doesn't take much to clean them up either.   Some aircraft strpper will take care of that.

Hey Dino,

Yea and I already have the aircraft stuff.  Used it on my 67 coronet valve covers before repainting them and they came out great. 

[Alan73Charger]

If you're willing to strip them anyway might as well try a test spot to see how the paint reacts.  Might not have to strip them at all and if it does wrinkle the paint you can go ahead and strip them.  I've had pretty good luck with VHT, I bet the Corp. blue would go right over it with no problems.     Either way post some pictures I'd like to see how they come out.

I'll do that for sure on the pics B5.  It's been a slow go.  Had a no spark issue that I diagnosed to a bad coil wire, bought new wires and found them to short to fit over the tall M/T's the previous owner had put on the car.  Could of sent the wires back but was looking for a reason to pull these M/T's anyway.  I'm torn between Mopar Performance valve covers or original.  At least with original and the proper wire looms I can be confident the orange wires I bought from Classic Industries will fit.  Then of course hoping for spark and to get the Charger on the road before winter sets in!

[Dino]

For the longest time I wanted to buy the MP finned covers, I already had the matching air cleaner the po put on there.  Then I heard more and more stories about how they can crack and the more I thought about it all, the more it made sense to go with stock valve covers and air cleaner.  It has been proven to work so why mess with it?

[Patronus]

The VHT engine enamel is kinda my "go-to" brand when it comes to spray bombs. Usually some scotch-brite and a good wipe down with acetone will get ya going.

[Alan73Charger]

For the longest time I wanted to buy the MP finned covers, I already had the matching air cleaner the po put on there.  Then I heard more and more stories about how they can crack and the more I thought about it all, the more it made sense to go with stock valve covers and air cleaner.  It has been proven to work so why mess with it?

Like your thinking Dino.  I bought some stock covers off a 74 from VegasCharger.  They should be here next week.  After sandblasting I'll be ready to paint and get them on.  Looking forward to getting these M/T's off and my new plug wires ran with the new valve covers.