Introducing the Authentic Honda OEM Type R Red Valve Cover Powder Coat Service

[VTEC_Inside]

Psht, everyone is a hater when they aren't explicitly posing for a pic... boring...

I think that other pic pretty much says it all as far as how bad the old covers were, even if you can't see the tops.

 

[Barn Man]

Lithiumus,
I left you a message on acurazine as well...but I need to get in touch with you about doing a set of nsx v/covers. Please hit me up by phone or by my email address at [email protected] 615-429-1648. Please let me know if your still doing this or not so I can stop searching for the perfect match of paint.

Thanks,
Barney Demonbreun
Ashland Motorsports
Ashland City, Tn. 37015
615-429-1648

 

[lithiumus]

Hi Barney,

You need look no further... you've found me! I still have probably more than a year's supply of powder left so yes, if you you'd like your covers coated, I'll take care of it.

I'll send you an E-mail and give you a ring tomorrow. Looking forward to the opportunity to work on your covers.

 

[HIJACKER]

I have 04 NSX. Interested in matching the intake manifold cover in the center. Is this $100 and I send you back my core? How does it work?

Could you PM me the details. Much appreciated.

 

[lithiumus]

I have 04 NSX. Interested in matching the intake manifold cover in the center. Is this $100 and I send you back my core? How does it work?

Could you PM me the details. Much appreciated.

Since the intake manifold is purely cosmetic, if you can send me your cover first, it will avoid a core charge. Plus I don't have any 2002+ intake manifold cover cores (the ones with the DOHC raised letters).

I'm going to have to charge $150 to match those as it will require additional work after powder coating to paint the DOHC letters silver to match OEM. If it was the 2001 and prior Intake manifold covers without the DOHC raised letters, it would be $100.

I'll PM you the details if you want to go ahead.

 

[akydakyx]

is the type R color and texture different from 97+ color and texture? thanks.

 

[lithiumus]

is the type R color and texture different from 97+ color and texture? thanks.

So that's a difficult question to answer. The Type R color and texture is very close to the 97+ color and texture. Let's just say that the wrinkle texture is essentially the same. The Red on the Type R is slightly deeper like blood while the 97+ is slightly brighter.

There are a lot of inconsistencies with the OEM paint while my powder is actually VERY consistent batch after batch.

Here are some of the inconsistencies I've seen after dealing with many sets of covers so far...

- New replacement OEM covers differ in color and texture than the ones on the cars
- New replacement 97+ OEM covers are brighter and not as deep in red
- OEM covers that are on the car all have fine wrinkle texture
- New replacement 97+ OEM covers have a more pronounced wrinkle texture

My Type R red is a much closer / near perfect match to 97+ OEM valve covers that came with the car. Since the replacement 97+ OEM valve covers are a slightly different color and texture, it's not a good match. I suspect that Honda is using different color and process for the replacement parts than they did when the cars were still in production.

So the answer to your questions is that the Type R is a good match to the original 97+ covers as long as they came with the car and are not OEM replacement parts purchased from the parts department.

 

[lithiumus]

Some more pictures for comparison purposes and some results from a recent batch...

Here is a freshly powder coated cover on top of a set of NA2 OEM Red covers that were sent in for a fresh set of powder. The covers were dirty but look at the center covered areas where the coils sit... The match is almost perfect... (without flash)

with flash

Using a new stripping method of using soft plastic blasting (never using sand!) the covers come out nice and bright. This also eliminates the need to re-Honda Bond the breather plates since the chemical stripping deteriorates the seal. Yes, if you don't remove the breather plates, scrape off all old seal and re-seal it after chemical stripping, the breather plates will leak air / vacuum and not work 100% Yes, all my covers that were chemically stripped were also re-Honda Bonded to ensure a perfect air-tight seal.

Here is a stripped 2004+ Intake Manifold Cover that was sent in to be powder coated. Notice the extra notch on the bottom left? A similar notch is on the topside as well. Only the 2004+ Intake Manifolds had those. The 2002 and 2003 Intake Manifold Covers actually did not have the extra notches but still had the raised DOHC VTEC letters.

The OEM 2002+ Intake Manifold cover DOHC VTEC letters were simply painted silver on top of the wrinkle paint. I decided instead to expose the shiny Magnesium leaving the raised letters nice and smooth rather than a rough surface like OEM. To protect the Magnesium from oxidizing, I immediately coated it with 2 layers of clear coat for protection.

Freshly coated NA2 valve cover, 2004+ Intake Manifold cover and an AEM CAI

 

[lithiumus]

Some recent work and batches...

Sun was pretty bright but the color is not that bright in person...

Some other Valve Covers...

 

[NSX_PrecisionTeam]

While I have not seen Lithiumus' craftsmanship in person, I can vouch for him personally. I have worked with him on a near-regular, professional basis for the past few years and he is an honest person worthy of your trust.

I would definately recommend him to anyone who is interested in his services!

 

[Joy2Drive]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Mine is the black car above. Absolutely stunning and Lithiumus did a first class job installing them. Get yours done before he runs out of wrinkle red powder. You won't regret it.

 

[303WIN]

very nice work. I want a set for my 96, do you have a set available? Thanks

 

[303WIN]

Please clear your inbox. :biggrin:

 

[lithiumus]

Please clear your inbox. :biggrin:

LOL, I was hovering at 99% for like a month! Cleared! :biggrin:

And yes, right now I have one set reserved for a local install and one set waiting for someone but I have yet to receive advance cores so you are welcome to jump in and grab them! PM replied.

 

[UnhuZ]

^ was my PM also cleared in that bunch?? :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Nuno

 

[Oyagi]

Just a bump to Lith's thread to show off his powdercoating on a completely different application. Here's my 1996 Skyline GT-R's RB26DETT

Here's the before:

 

[pchristie]

Just checking to see if you are still offering the service, sent PM.

Thanks!

 

[Dcypher]

Looks great. Hopefully you are still overing the service. If so do you have the blue wrinkle that was used on some other Honda engines?

Thanks,
Mick

 

[Sylvan]

I'm also curious if this service is still being offered.

 

[fenixv8]

Please PM me I'm local

Chris

 

[lithiumus]

I'm still offering the service! PMs answered. Sorry for the delay, was on vacation last week and for some reason, my PM notification E-mails didn't seem to work... I stumbled upon 14 unread messages today...

I still have about 1-2 years of power left based on my yearly throughput so far so no worries, I'll close the thread the day I stop offering the service.

Sorry, I only do the OEM Honda Type R wrinkle Red.

 

[optionfans]

got my pm?

 

[lithiumus]

got my pm?

Nice talking to you! I'll have another batch ready in about a month or so. I'll PM out to everyone who is patiently waiting.

Starting to get excited about getting my car ready soon! :smile:

 

[Nefarious]

Beautiful work man. Wish this service was around 10 years ago when I built up a Honda Civic SI with a mixture of Type-R and Mugen products. I ended up just purchasing a Red Valve Cover from Japan to be authentic.

 

[spider2k]

this dead? need some red lovin.