08 aluminum diff cover refinish

[npccpartsman]

I bought an 08 aluminum differential cover and I'm trying to decide if I want to put it on there as cast aluminum natural finish, polish it (severe pain in the rear), powder coat it, or paint it. I'd like to powder coat it with one of the do-it-yourself products rather than paint it, but I need some help there also. Suggestions?

[roadrunner]

painting it will defeat the purpose of aluminum, paint will insulate it and not allow heat dissapation

not that you care what i have to say but if you can stand to polish it that would be cool but just having an aluminum cover alone will look sweet!

[txdiesel]

Originally Posted by roadrunner

painting it will defeat the purpose of aluminum, paint will insulate it and not allow heat dissapation

I really don't think that a coat of paint will make any difference in heat dissapation. Maybe a negligable difference, but the heat sinks are what truly keeps it cooler. Either way, I'd probably keep it the way it is, or polish.

[Evil Eye]

Leave it natural... The salt and snow will eventually dull the finish anyway.

[mrnecsteve]

What roadrunner is saying is true to a very small degree true BUT hopefully your differential is
not runnning in the high infrared temperature zones to make any significant difference.If you were running a differential at 1000 degrees and up,the optimum setup would be dark
coating on the inside to absorb heat...then bright and shiny on the outside to radiate heat ..with
conductive metals in between !
As your hopefully ,not doing something like that...the cover needs to utilise those fins for better convection (as opposed to radiant)heat transfer.As youre in North carolina with occasional snow,salt and corrosion could be an issue. If I were doing it,here in MD.. Myself ,I would go for a die cast amuminum look.
1 very light sand blasting 2 clean and rinse with mag wheel cleaner 3 spray coat with zinc cromate primar (bluish clear) 4 cover with clear polyurethane.

If you go with the glossy mirror finish...you will drive your self crazy every time you drive
it over a wet road....like the exit of a car wash for instance. Ever seen a dry car wash exit?
My question is....where can i find an aluminum cover for the FRONT differential?? I have seen them affordable enough for the back,but what about the front?

[horsepoor68]

Im looking for a part # for the 08 rear dif cover. My buddy works at ford and can get it fo me at cost. But its better if i can get the part #for him. He is always busy as hell Im sorry to say fixing Powerstrokes. I dont like the rust look any more.

[720Deere]

Don't polish it Tim. Jon Turner will just scuff it up when he installs it! Actually I like the idea of a polished diff cover! It's just going to be hard to keep it shining unless you clear coat it.

[npccpartsman]

8C3Z-4033-A If you get it from the dealership you'll have to get the 08 fasteners to go with it. You can get everything from diesel manor for about $65 shipped to your house.

[horsepoor68]

Thanks. Ill look into diesel manors also.