As topic states I would like to paint my valve cover but have no idea how or where to start. I dont even know if I can just use regular paint or do I need to go with a high temp paint. And if it is a high temp paint what brand to use? What grade sand paper? Do I need a dremel or can I just do it by hand? Do I need to spray the cover with primer? Can I use primer in the can? Do I spray the cover with clear when I'm finished?

These are just some of the questions I have in mind.

I'm contemplating between a gunmetal grey and gold for the valve cover.

Any help would be greatly appreciated because I'm feeling kindve lost on this one.

 

the paint you want to use is VHT wrinkle red. you can order it off of ebay or if you want black you can get that from Oriellys. I would get the VC sand blasted if you have that as an option if not use paint stripper and try to get as much of the original paint off as you can. no primer or clear is needed.

 

If you want to keep your lettering in the original metal finish, then you can put lotion or vaseline over the letter while you spray it with paint. after it is dried you can peel off the paint and wipe off the remaining vaseline.
oh and dont trip dude i just sanded mine down to scuff the paint and then i think any spray can will work jus make sure no gas gets on it it will cause peeling or bubbles

 

I should have taken pics of mine when I was redoing it, I'll give you the process though and materials.

-1 Can of aircraft stripper spray
-1 Rubbermaid filled with soap and water(large enough to put the VC in)
-1 large and 1 small bristled brush
-1 Can of your choice high temp paint, I chose VHT crinkle black
-1 Pair of kitchen gloves, yeah the yellow ones

First and foremost(obviously) remove the valve cover and oil cap lay the VC somewhere where you can make a mess. Douse the cover in the stripper and let it sit for a little while, I used this time to start prepping my plug cover.

The VC should be sizzling, put on those rubber gloves, and dip the cover in the soap and water bath and get scrubbing with those brushes. The brushes will help get off any loose material, after a good scrub, blow it off with some compressed air and see where you stand. If you need to, do a second application of the stripper, just keep going till the cover is bare.

After its all dried out, blow out all the ports, you don't want water being trapped in the baffles. After its been thoroughly scrubbed, its safe to handle bare handed, the water acts as a deactivator for the stripper.

Once the cover is all nice and dry, lay it up on something sturdy, I chose a plank of wood covered in paper towels so I wouldn't kick up dirt or anything. Now you are ready to paint, follow the directions! some spray paints want one or two light coats and then some heavier ones.

The VHT was VERY specific!! All are heavy coats!!

1. One horizontal coat, let dry 15 minutes
2. One vertical coat, let dry 15 minutes
3. One diagonal coat, let dry 48 hours OR bake in the oven at 200F for 2 hours I think, says on can. BEWARE, very heavy fumes, bad for the oven, I wouldn't suggest it at all unless you have a junk oven outside your shop.

After that, bolt the cover back on and enjoy your hard work!

What I started with



Hideous, boring color, silver overspray from the previous owner trying to conceal a crappy header, Clyde Lewis, Ej2GSR, car caught fire shortly after this picture was taken.

After




Much better!

Also with the lettering, dont smear vaseline on something you are about to paint unless you want disaster. Just paint freely, and then scuff the lettering with a 320 grit, it'll clean off the paint if in fact you do want silver lettering again. I like the lack of contrast and I LOVE the color I found for the plug cover

Mods you should sticky this

 

[/QUOTE]Ive done this many times and its worked great for me. scuffing the paint will make the lettering look all scratched

 

^^

I do all my valve covers exactly like the wrinkle black posted above, but I always wait till its thoroughly dry (like a day or two after including the baking process) and tape closely around the lettering with about 3 layers of the green 3m tape, and sand the letters with 80 grit sand paper so it looks like a stock wrinkle black vc.