Thinking of using Crinkle Paint

My experience with wrinkle (crinkle) paint is that it is extremely tricky to get the perfect results.

It has to be put on in a pretty heavy coat, which will then shrink as it sets - thus forming the wrinkles.

This brings up the problem of runs - but if you don't get it heavy enough the wrinkles won't form right.

I think I would prepaint the edges and perimeter rather lightly, and then put a heavier coat down on the flat areas where they won't run. For sure, I would hesitate to do this on heads while on the engine unless you had an engine stand that could rotate them to the horizontal.

My opinion only - surely somebody else will have other thoughts.

 

you may be able to get it as an additive, but I'm not sure. Normally, it comes in a can as wrinkle paint. You spray it on and then use a heat gun to get it to "wrinkle". It's also helpful to heat up the item you are working on, as this can help the paint do its thing. Usually you get one shot at it and if you don't get the desired effect, then you practically have to strip it down and start over. Doing small touch ups doesn't usually work so well.

It's been years since I have done it, but I have seen the local Ferrari repair shop do it and end up with rather nice results.

Ray

 

Once you have done it you'll find it quite easy to do. As with all painting it is essential to start with a clean surface.

Follow the directions on the can applying two quite heavy coats a few minutes apart (just how heavy to coat can only be learned by experience).

I use two 500 watt halogen work lights positioned about a foot away on opposite sides of the workpiece as heat sources. If the item is large you will want to move the lights as the wrinkling begins to concentrate heat on all areas. Within an hour or so you should see the effect. Leaving the lights on will speed the drying process although it is not uncommon for the finish to remain somewhat soft for a few days.

This is not something that your wife will want you to do in the house as the smell from the paint fumes are nearly unbearable.

 

You can do it yourself and get excellent results. Here's where you can get it in the U.K. and there are even instructions.

http://www.usautomotive.co.uk/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=347

You can get even better results if you preheat the covers to about 100 degrees C in a gas barbeque using an oven thermometer (outside because of the paint smell), turn off the gas barbeque (very important because of the flammability of the paint), then spray on the paint, then put the covers back in the still turned-off barbeque to cure in a warm atmosphere. Experiment on a piece of scrap first. You will have fun.

Tom Kizer
Quebec

 

Heat and thick coats are the secret. The first time I used my wifes oven. Now I have an oven in the garage and my wife has a "new" oven. So maybe try the barbeque.
Get the part really hot and then spray it with a heavy coat. The hotter the part the less chance of runs.

 

The most common wrinkle paint people use on Ferrari cam covers is VHT wrinkle in a spray can. Available many places, but here's a link to an auction for it on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-VHT-SP204-RED-WRINKLE-PLUS-Aerosol-Spray-Paint-Can_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33632QQihZ010QQitemZ200310895131QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I'm not very good at painting, and had trouble getting a good result, especially where paint built up around corners and lettering. The VHT is not a match for the original Ferrari shade, which nobody has apparently been able to find. After getting poor results with mine, I decided to take them instead to a professional powder coater, who also had red wrinkle powder coating. I achieved a much nicer result, and I"m happy with them. Good luck with your project.

 

Here are some details on how wrinkle painting has been done before.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121508&highlight=paint

Mark

 

I've had no problems with the VHT Wrinkle paint when doing my valve covers. As mentioned, the valve covers must be completely clear. I sprayed them in my basement following the instructions, then placed them next to my furnace. A week later, I block wet sanded the ribs and Ferrari script. Take your time and they will come out looking great.

 

I don't know. I really liked that smell...

It's not that hard.

As mentioned, start with a clean surface. Use the VHT brand, lay it on in several thick coats (without sags) and use a heat gun or lights close.

I never used an oven or bbq and it always came out as good or better than OEM. Must have done hundreds of cam covers, an occasional belt cover and many plenums over the years...

 

Can you recommend a grey VHT crinkle?

You can get red or black here:

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8219&frostProductName=Black+Wrinkle+Finish+(310ml)&catID=24&subCatID=34&FrostCat=Painting&FrostSubcat=Others

 

POWDER COAT, POWDER COAT, POWDER COAT the only way to go!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

VHT Wrinkle Paint
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Only used the black for years. Started on Maserati V8's, Lussos and Daytonas.

Started using red when the, QV's, 328 and TR's came out. Do not know the grey, sorry.

 

I've used the VHT, red and black, with good results . I experimented on a scrap piece of metal to see how many coats gave me the crinkle I desired. As they recommend, I baked the painted parts at 200 deg F for one hour in my wife's oven. No fumes to speak of, and no damage to the (electric) oven. I verified the oven temp with a good oven thermometer. Also, I did it when she wasn't home. She never knew the difference.

 

One of the options you have when using wrinkle paint is to polish the ribs, numbers and letters. With polished acorn nuts, the effect is pretty good. -Steve
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

one thought though: when a small piece of paint eventually cracks off with time it's very hard to do a decent touch up. i had my cam covers powder coated on engine out and although i like the crinkle look i expect the powder to last longer. jon s

 

WISE MAN! This is the one thing we laugh about the most with the owners....many wifes have demanded we do the painting at the shop as a good many owners have tried to pull this off at home and did get busted! Personally I think it stinks to high heaven. To keep in the same light...I parted out the rotisary from my mother-in-laws BBQ and welded up a big paint cabinet with heat lamps to do ours. Only way to get an even wrinkle on an old Maserati head and cam covers is to keep it spinning under the heat.

Time to prod Crall with a sharp stick as he has spoken to me about setting up a powder coating business at his location to do Ferrari parts. I have found it a PITA dealing with guys that do not know the mechanics of what is going on...spend a lot of time scraping surfaces that were not well protected.

I am still old school and like the paint. Martin Senore (sp?) used to sell it in gallon cans and was highly durable but that ran out in the mid 80's...the VHT stuff leaves a little to be desired but is all we have these days. About 10 yrs ago one couldnt find black for love nor money and we had to do everything in red. Using very light and fairly dry coats one can change the color to anything they want with a top coat over the wrinkle

Make darn sure the surface is rough. The 355's peal the paint on the plug covers and not the cam covers because one is a rough cast piece and the other a pressure cast smooth piece.

Dave

 

I had my wrinkle powder coated. Some coaters may not have it, and it is a fairly fine wrinkle, and more glossy than I'd ideally like. But it looks very good, and I think the color is closer to OEM than VHT. Also, I think it will be much easier to keep clean, and shouldn't chip or crack. I don't expect to have to worry about it again any time soon.

Edit: I did ask the coater to not blast the inside of the valve cover, but they did it anyway. I don't think it's a real problem, but make sure to thoroughly clean the covers to get any grit off the inside before installing them.

 

The bottom line, you just can't beat powder coating. My Cam and belt covers are just gorgeous!! I thought about the paint method for my suspension, but no it's powder coating now. Spend the money you'll be happier in the long run.

 

Johnny,

Not too many Fchat members from ireland here (North and South) I am based in Wicklow.

I have searched the island for a good powder coat solution, none are radily available, it appears there is not a decent crinkle powder coat provider east of the Atlantic ( at a reasonable price). I have covered mine in VHT crinkle paint, with a zinc chromate primer/ (post sand blasting the cam and belt covers). Go for VHT paint RED the best all round option at a fraction of the cost of powder coating. see pictures below.

I Covered the air box and cover for the oil cooler in black VHT crinkle, no photo, but excellent finish all round.

www.frost.co.uk

Rgds

Tom
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Johnny, here ya go -- Red Powdercoat cam covers and Black belt covers in crinkle finish. They look like factory pieces.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wrinkle Powder Coat:
Image Unavailable, Please Login