So i am going to paint my valve cover to match the MR paint on my car, and i was wondering if i get it professonaly done at a body shop will it crack and peel from the heat, or will it be OK. I know there are plenty of valve cover threads but non-of them answered this question. Thanks

 

it shouldn't alot of my friends have painted valve covers that were done professionaly (clear coat and all) and they hold up fine

 

any pics to show, and thanks for ur input.

 

sorry no pics bu they color matched the cars perfectly

 

The paint should hold up fine, but if you want a really durable, heat resistant finish I would have it powder coated. Looks great and will last a long time.

 

powder coated would be your best option for the valve cover

 

Can you powder coat a valve cover yourself, how much would a shop charge?

 

just be cool like me and leave it stripped



a shop would probably charge about 50-60 bucks to powercoat it assuming it cost about 70 to powdercoat a rim

 

^^That valve cover is not that bad

 

it should be fine, why dont you dIY? and use high heat paint if you are worried??

 

left mine stripped also

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CNSK &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">left mine stripped also</TD></TR></TABLE>

how do you strip the original crap off?

 

paint it camo green

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eymnewdc4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how do you strip the original crap off?</TD></TR></TABLE>

AirCraft paint remover

if you're gonna leave it stripped, i've heard a good idea is to spray a couple coats of hi-temp clear coat on it so it doesnt corrode at all.

if you're gonna paint it, use primer, hi-temp paint and then hi-temp clear.

as for the lettering, you can use a thin layer of vaseline so you can just wipe it off once you're done painting; easier way to mask.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by optikal_blitz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">AirCraft paint remover

if you're gonna leave it stripped, i've heard a good idea is to spray a couple coats of hi-temp clear coat on it so it doesnt corrode at all.

if you're gonna paint it, use primer, hi-temp paint and then hi-temp clear.

as for the lettering, you can use a thin layer of vaseline so you can just wipe it off once you're done painting; easier way to mask.</TD></TR></TABLE>

im non vtec, but still i was gonna maybe not paint the letters.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Solar Stone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">paint it camo green</TD></TR></TABLE>

i was thinking of something "different", but not that

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eymnewdc4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

im non vtec, but still i was gonna maybe not paint the letters.</TD></TR></TABLE>

vtec or not, i think when people paint over the lettering, it looks miserable.

if you're going for something different.. i'd say design a cool stencil.. or like a pattern you like (dual tone or tri tone) and spray it in crinkle paints of those colors.

I want to do that right now but my H22 Red top is just too damn pretty.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by optikal_blitz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">vtec or not, i think when people paint over the lettering, it looks miserable.

if you're going for something different.. i'd say design a cool stencil.. or like a pattern you like (dual tone or tri tone) and spray it in crinkle paints of those colors.

I want to do that right now but my H22 Red top is just too damn pretty.</TD></TR></TABLE>

as far as the letters ... ive heard someone say today that very fine sandpaper would take off the paint if painted over. just wanna know if that would or would not work before i paint

 

Yep that works, but from my experience, vaseline is much easier.

I'd say the most precise method would be to wait til everything dries and run a dremel with a sanding wheel accross the plane

 

do you do this process with the vc still on the motor?

 

no you don't, it's a must that you remove it (protect the vc gasket and be careful)

overspray will be everywhere and you wont be able to get a good angle/distance to paint evenly

it's probably possible, but i would never do it that way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by optikal_blitz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no you don't, it's a must that you remove it (protect the vc gasket and be careful)

overspray will be everywhere and you wont be able to get a good angle/distance to paint evenly

it's probably possible, but i would never do it that way.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i didnt think it was a good idea. but i just wasnt sure. do you have to replace the gasket everytime? because my buddy has done his vc about 4 times in a very short period of time

 

you can reuse the gasket if it hasnt been damaged when you take it off.. just be careful with it.

after 4 times of taking it off and putting it back on i would suggest going to honda and picking up a new gasket.

 

 

how much is the new gasket? cause im pretty sure the one on the car is as old as the car (95)

 

$8.65 (Cover gasket)
$1.82/ea (Sparkplug gaskets)

http://www.HondaAutomotiveParts.com is great to order from.

:edit: haha sorry i don't know why i thought you had a prelude. but the prices are probably the same. different part numbers though.