Correct color of Dino valve covers and keeping it that way

When I restored my Dino, I spoke with Dennis McCann who told me that the cam covers on 206GTs and early 246GTs were magnesium alloy and were coated with DOW#7 which gave them a flat green/brown color. I found a local place that does this treatment on parts which go into aircraft so I had mine recoated. The looked really good and have aged nicely.

I believe cam covers on later Dinos may have been made out of something different but I'm sure people on ths alias will know for sure.

...Keith

 

Simple Green is alkaline. Make sure you thoroughly flush the area with water when you are done. You are better off finding a dedicated aluminum cleanser.

 

I polished mine, without removing them. Don't ask how long it took me.

My Dino is a 71 (01296). I think the covers are mag..

Here is a before and after picture.


Cheers.

Pietro
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The cam covers are magnesium and to my knowledge not coated. The correct (dull) finish can be achieved by fine bead blasting. Many restoration shops will have the necessary equipment to do this for you.

 

I usually bead blast with glass bead, and then keep clean by wiping over with a rag with cellulose thinners on it.
Make sure you thoroughly rinse after bead blasting to get all the grit away and keep the thinners away from your paintwork!!
David

 

...haven't done anything special to mine. They looked like this when I got the car.

I guess the annual engine out service, with some obvious attention to cleaning, helps keep it look this way.

DM
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For what its worth, I always steam cleaned mine never found any kind of finish that would keep them clean. I remember someone spraying some kind of clear laquer, needless to say that did not work,

 

You cannot polish magnesium.
The polished cam covers show above are aluminum.
Magnesium must be treated or it will corrode.
First they must be glass beaded then cleaned.
Then treated with a dow7 process to prevent corrosion.
The dow7 must be sealed. You can use normal paint or powder coating.

The following photos are my covers done as above.

Dark spotted photo: How it came off the car.
Gray: Dow 7 treatment.
Black semi gloss: Powder coated and silver paint for logo.
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Actually, you can polish magnesium. The outer rims of my magnesium wheels (not on a Ferrari) are unpainted and must be polished from time to time. They take on a very high sheen. However, magnesium does corrode so a painted finish is usually advisable.

 

Mine have passed muster at regional PCA events without incident. I have not done the national.

DM

 

The mechanic cleaned it. Can't tell you what he uses. Must be some kind of tip-top secret mechanic stuff.
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the early cars were magnesium. the later ones aluminum. keith's response re the magnesium ones is correct. the aluminum ones shouldn't be too shiney and may get that way depending on the type of blast media used. actually, they probably shouln't be blasted.

 

Just clean mine, many pepole paint but isn't correct.


Cumps

 

My 2L Spyder (one of the first 500 made) has magnesium cam covers and is gray in color.
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I use mag wheel cleaner on my cam covers with use a worn scotchbrite pad to scrub. The result is almost the same as the NOS valve covers I have.