I'm in the process of painting my valve covers, plenum and a few other metal pieces with engine enamel paint. I'm wondering if I can throw them in the kitchen oven and bake them to help cure the paint. Is it worth the time and effort? If so, what temperature?

Sorry if this has been covered already.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 87ECO5:

[B] I'm wondering if I can throw them in the kitchen oven and bake them to help cure the paint.

I have thought about this one too. My problem is I have a gas stove. Do not think it would be a very good idea to have a large open flame around curing paint. Some of the parts of the paint that evaporate are flammable. An electric stove might be ok, but then think of this: do you live alone? If you do then the only person the fumes will bother will be you. But if you live with anyone they better like the smell of curing paint. And you would need to ventilate the kitchen too. Have a vent hood over the stove? Come to think of it what about vapors from the stove going through a hood with a running motor? Sparks from the motor (don't know if they do or not, just wondering) and enough fumes could be interesting. Best way would be an old electric stove out in the garage where the smell and fumes are a little safer?

Yes you can bake them on low heat. I wouldn't recommend it in a stove you cook your food out of, but it's up to you. What I did was install the painted parts (carefully) and then drove around for a while. This works real good on calipers, never tried it on valve covers though. The key to doing it in a stove is not to turn the heat up too high. I think Eastwood sells a home powder coating system that you bake on in a stove.

Duralast HIGH TEMP emgine enamel paint with ceramic, and follow directions. I have seen this process lasting on turbos that get a little hotter than hot (see through) was enough to convince me!

go out and find an electric stove that someone's trying to get rid of and put it in the garage. Wife will be much happier..

------------------

1988 Quad 4 Coupe 5 speed (soon!!)
1986 GT 5 speed, 1984 SC Auto

AOL: LastMinuteBastrd AIM: SavedbyJebus

Electric stove for sure. I bought one where only the oven works. It was $30 and I just keep it in my garage. I used it on a bunch of parts for my TA. If you do it in the house, I hope you have a good attic fan and open all the windows. It does smell. Mine smells up the house from the garage.

------------------

Two '87 GT's...
...Double Trouble

[This message has been edited by Fiero_Freak (edited 06-30-2001).]

Please don't do this in the house or any other enclosed space. Electric oven a must have... If it's in the garage, open the big door and use a fan.

Asside from the obvious smell... allot of that crap is poisonous and some may be carcinogenic.

why not powder coat if your gonna bake em. It far outlasts paint.

Gee, I guess you were all right about not baking them in the kitchen oven.

My whole apartment stinks and I'm feeling a little....funky

hmmm, maybe I'm on to something. The money I'll save on alcohol I can dump back into the car.

------------------

88GT 5sp, in desperate need of an LT1
http://www.geocities.com/fiero88gt1/

Got the parts painted but didn't need to bake them. The sun here in Southern Ohio was warm enough to do it for me.

Hope to install them today. Will post photos when complete.