Is it okay to sandblast both sides of the valve covers?

IanMan · 10-14-2018, 08:43 PM

The coating they used on the magnesium is garbage and only cakes on oil over time. Is it okay to sandblast both sides? I'll only be coating the exterior.

enycerz · 10-15-2018, 05:19 PM

I would not sand blast inside.

BayE30 · 10-15-2018, 05:26 PM

soda blast, and find a good powdercoater who knows magnesium.

GORDON.M3 · 10-15-2018, 11:11 PM

After all the suggestions I got, most people said only sandblast the exterior and mask off everything on the inside. Clean up the inside as much as you can if the coating is flaking.
Best bet is to buy new covers all together.

IanMan · 10-16-2018, 08:17 AM

I'm going to disagree after speaking to a member here. Said member had his sandblasted inside and out, given an acid bath then powder coated. They look great and they've held up over time.

Mvy · 10-16-2018, 08:55 AM

Its 1400 to replace both including the gasket. If yours are not cracked, warped or otherwise compromised, I would think blasting and coating would be a worthwhile exercise and could save you money. Its just how much time is it worth to you to deal with valve cover replacements. I decided to just buy them at FCP euro and replace once, then get new ones for free the rest of the life of the car when they leak again.

10-15-2018, 05:19 PM	#2
enycerz Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 293 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (9)	I would not sand blast inside.
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10-15-2018, 05:26 PM	#3
BayE30 Lieutenant Colonel 1341 Rep 1,881 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	soda blast, and find a good powdercoater who knows magnesium. __________________ I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/ Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V]
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10-15-2018, 11:11 PM	#4
GORDON.M3 Brigadier General 1421 Rep 3,001 Posts Drives: E92 M3 • F25 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LAX/YYZ/NRT iTrader: (11)	After all the suggestions I got, most people said only sandblast the exterior and mask off everything on the inside. Clean up the inside as much as you can if the coating is flaking. Best bet is to buy new covers all together. __________________ INSTAGRAM: GORDON.M3 North American Mr12Volt Carplay/Android Auto Distributor DINAN \| EVOSPORT \| VAC \| ARP \| RD SPORT \| NEEZ \| EIBACH \| CSF \| IND \| BILSTEIN \| KLASSEN \| BREMBO \| ENDLESS \| BBS \| BPM SPORT \| PROJECT MU \| EVENTURI
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10-16-2018, 08:55 AM	#6
Mvy Captain 541 Rep 979 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Peach iTrader: (0)	Its 1400 to replace both including the gasket. If yours are not cracked, warped or otherwise compromised, I would think blasting and coating would be a worthwhile exercise and could save you money. Its just how much time is it worth to you to deal with valve cover replacements. I decided to just buy them at FCP euro and replace once, then get new ones for free the rest of the life of the car when they leak again. __________________ Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...
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