Re: Chrome plating rocker covers

[rip]

A few chromium flakes in your oil, and you can kiss that engine goodbye.


Peter wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> After just two years from new, the paint has mostly come off the
> Lycoming IO-540 rocker covers, and I have taken the opportunity of an
> annual to get them chrome plated.
>
> I've had various non-aviation bits chromed in the past, both polished
> and satin chrome.
>
> But, having cleaned the covers out, I noticed that the steel is plated
> with something, possibly cadmium. Presumably this will need to be
> removed first. What would happen if the chrome plating on the inside
> of the rocker covers started to peel off in chunks? It would really
> mess up lubrication... And chrome plating can do that unless done
> absolutely correctly.
>
> Should I take care to not plate the inside of the covers?
>
> Any suggestions much appreciated.
>
>
> Peter.
> --
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[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
Peter > wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> After just two years from new, the paint has mostly come off the
> Lycoming IO-540 rocker covers, and I have taken the opportunity of an
> annual to get them chrome plated.
>
> I've had various non-aviation bits chromed in the past, both polished
> and satin chrome.
>
> But, having cleaned the covers out, I noticed that the steel is plated
> with something, possibly cadmium. Presumably this will need to be
> removed first. What would happen if the chrome plating on the inside
> of the rocker covers started to peel off in chunks? It would really
> mess up lubrication... And chrome plating can do that unless done
> absolutely correctly.
>
> Should I take care to not plate the inside of the covers?
>
> Any suggestions much appreciated.
>


Why not strip the paint from the exteriors and ahve tham powder coated?
The stuff cures at 400 degrees.

An alternative is to strip them, then epoxy prime and paint with
polyurethane.

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
Peter > wrote:

> Orval Fairbairn > wrote:
>
> >Why not strip the paint from the exteriors and ahve tham powder coated?
> >The stuff cures at 400 degrees.
>
> I take it that's 400F - the max CHT is 500F although I rarely go over
> 400F. I don't think normal powder coatings would take that.
>
> I think I will go for chrome but only on the outside.
>

I painted mine with Imron and they are fine after about 1000 hr.
Remember -- the rockers are cooler than the oil temp -- roughly 220 deg
F.

I painted my ctlinders with epoxy primer/PPG catalysed acrylic three
years ago (250 hr) and they haven't chipped, rusted or flaked.

[Jay Honeck]

> Any suggestions much appreciated.

Lycoming sells chrome-plated covers. Buy theirs.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"