Powder Coating
Engine Bay Powder Coating Guide
Blackout Window Tinting
7 min read
What car engine parts can be powder coated? Valve covers, intake manifolds, brackets, and more. High-temp requirements and Bay Area pricing.
A clean engine bay separates serious builds from the rest. Powder coating engine components delivers that factory-fresh look with better durability than paint—if you know what can handle the heat.
Why Powder Coat Engine Parts?
Durability in Harsh Conditions
Engine bays face extreme challenges:
| Challenge | How Powder Coating Helps |
|---|---|
| Heat cycles | High-temp powders rated to 500°F+ |
| Oil exposure | Chemical-resistant barrier |
| Cleaners/degreasers | Withstands harsh chemicals |
| Vibration | Flexible coating resists cracking |
| Road debris | Chip-resistant surface |
Aesthetic Benefits
- Uniform finish across all components
- Custom colors to match your build theme
- Factory-fresh appearance that lasts years
- Easy cleaning — wipes clean, doesn't stain
What Can Be Powder Coated
Excellent Candidates (Low Heat)
These parts see minimal heat and work great with standard powder:
| Part | Temperature Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Washer fluid tank | Ambient | Any powder type |
| Coolant overflow | Under 200°F | Standard powder |
| Power steering reservoir | Under 200°F | Standard powder |
| Fuse box covers | Ambient | Standard powder |
| Strut tower braces | Under 200°F | Standard powder |
| Battery trays | Ambient | Standard powder |
| ABS brackets | Under 200°F | Standard powder |
Good Candidates (Medium Heat)
These need higher-rated powder but work well:
| Part | Temperature Range | Powder Required |
|---|---|---|
| Valve covers | 200-350°F | High-temp hybrid or polyester |
| Cam covers | 200-350°F | High-temp powder |
| Timing covers | 200-350°F | High-temp powder |
| Oil pans | 200-300°F | High-temp powder |
| Thermostat housings | 200-250°F | High-temp powder |
| Intake manifolds (upper) | 150-250°F | High-temp recommended |
| Alternator brackets | 150-250°F | Standard or high-temp |
Challenging Candidates (High Heat)
Possible but require specialized powder:
| Part | Temperature Range | Powder Required |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust manifolds | 500-1200°F | Ceramic-additive powder |
| Turbo housings | 500-800°F | High-temp ceramic |
| Downpipes | 500-800°F | High-temp ceramic |
| Heat shields | 300-500°F | High-temp polyester |
These require our premium high-temperature powders. Standard powder will discolor, bubble, or fail.
What Should NOT Be Powder Coated
Never Coat These
| Part | Reason |
|---|---|
| Cylinder heads (internal) | Coating affects flow/combustion |
| Block decks | Gasket sealing surfaces |
| Piston tops | Combustion chamber issues |
| Crankshafts | Tolerances too tight |
| Camshafts | Bearing surfaces affected |
| Rocker arms (contact surfaces) | Wear surfaces |
| Flywheel friction surface | Obviously problematic |
| Throttle body bore | Air flow restriction |
Mask These Areas
When coating parts that have both functional and decorative surfaces:
| Part | Areas to Mask |
|---|---|
| Valve covers | Gasket mating surface |
| Intake manifold | Port openings, gasket surfaces |
| Cam covers | Seal surfaces, bolt holes |
| Thermostat housing | Mating flange |
| Oil pan | Gasket rail, drain plug hole |
We handle all masking—critical for proper fitment.
Temperature Ratings by Powder Type
Understanding powder limitations:
| Powder Type | Max Temp | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Standard epoxy | 250°F | Battery trays, AC brackets |
| Hybrid (epoxy-polyester) | 350°F | Valve covers, intake tubes |
| Polyester (TGIC) | 400°F | Most engine parts |
| Super durable polyester | 450°F | High-exposure engine parts |
| Ceramic-additive | 600°F+ | Headers (won't match cerakote) |
Temperature Considerations
Keep in mind:
- Sustained heat matters more than peak temperature
- Proximity to exhaust dramatically increases temps
- Forced induction engines run hotter overall
- Spirited driving increases average engine temps
When in doubt, we recommend going one tier up on temperature rating.
Popular Color Choices
Classic Engine Bay Colors
| Color | Style | Popular For |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss black | Clean, OEM+ | Any build |
| Wrinkle black | Textured, hides imperfections | Valve covers |
| Cast iron gray | Realistic restoration | Classic cars |
| Red/Orange | Performance statement | Muscle cars, imports |
| Body color match | Coordinated theme | Show cars |
Finish Options
| Finish | Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss | Reflective, shows dirt | Show cars, detailed regularly |
| Satin | Subtle sheen | Daily drivers, balanced look |
| Wrinkle | Textured | Hides casting flaws, classic look |
| Matte | Flat appearance | Modern/industrial aesthetic |
Popular Valve Cover Combinations
| Car Type | Popular Color Choice |
|---|---|
| LS swaps | Gloss black or custom |
| Honda B/K series | Wrinkle red, OEM match |
| BMW M engines | Satin red |
| Porsche | Silver or crinkle black |
| Classic V8 | Chrome look or engine color |
The Process
What You Need to Do
Minimum:
- Remove parts from engine
- Drain all fluids/oil
- Remove gaskets (we can help)
Preferred:
- Remove any studs that should stay clean
- Remove sensors/plugs
- Degrease externally
What We Do
- Inspection — Check for cracks, damage, warping
- Stripping — Remove old paint/powder
- Degreasing — Bake out oil contamination
- Masking — Protect all critical surfaces
- Coating — Apply appropriate powder
- Curing — Oven at correct temperature
- Finishing — Chase threads, quality check
Outgassing: Why It Matters
Engine parts absorb oil over years of use. Without proper outgassing:
- Oil bubbles through fresh coating
- Pinholes develop in finish
- Coating adhesion fails
We bake parts before coating to drive out contamination. This adds time but prevents failures.
Pricing Guide
Individual Parts
| Part | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Valve cover (each) | $75-150 |
| Intake manifold | $150-300 |
| Timing cover | $50-100 |
| Oil pan | $75-125 |
| Cam cover | $50-100 |
| Brackets (per piece) | $20-40 |
| Small hardware (lot) | $30-50 |
Package Deals
| Package | Includes | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Valve cover pair | Both covers | $140-250 |
| Top-end dress kit | Covers, manifold, brackets | $300-500 |
| Complete engine dress | All visible parts | $500-900 |
Price Factors
- Part size — Larger = more powder and oven space
- Contamination — Oily parts need outgassing (+$20-40)
- Condition — Damaged castings need repair
- Powder type — High-temp costs ~20% more
- Complexity — Lots of masking = more labor
Turnaround Time
| Project | Standard Time |
|---|---|
| Single valve cover | 3-5 days |
| Pair of covers | 3-5 days |
| Top-end kit | 5-7 days |
| Complete dress kit | 7-10 days |
Rush available for +50%.
Ready for a Show-Quality Engine Bay?
Bring your parts (removed and drained) or bring your list for a quote. We'll help you choose the right powder for your application and temperature requirements.
📞 Get a quote — describe your engine parts project
📍 Visit our shop — see samples of engine bay finishes
Related Articles
- High-Temp Options: Brake Caliper Coating Guide
- Colors: Powder Coating Color Matching Guide
- Comparison: DIY vs Professional Powder Coating
- Prep: Stripping vs Media Blasting
