Painting Valve Covers [merged]

[96eclipsegst]

I want to clean my turbo 2g's valve cover, and then paint it. Can anyone tell me if they have done this or know the right materials to use? Is there a special cleaner, and a special type of paint? I was going to buy one from machv.com but I think I could save a lot if I did it myself.

 

[Dannyboy1201]

just send your core here Ive alot of people on the board have gotten there valve cove powercoated by him he does good work..

DSMtrance web page

 

[96eclipsegst]

Thank you, if I have to send it in I will, but I would still rather do it myself.

 

[germain101]

pick up a can of Aircraft Stripper...you aply it with a paint brush and it will strip it down to the bare metal...it works awsome...makes paint or powder coat just bubble up and you could basicly wipe it off with a rag...i suggest using a wire wheel on a drill, works the best...cost is around $24 for a gallon...

before i bought a powder coater, i painted my valve cover with high temp engine enamal made by plasti coat...this stuff worked real well...i used just about the whole can on the valva cover and everyone thought it was powder coated...

the thing is, with spray paint, it has no hardener in it...but, after i put the valve cover back on the car and ran it for about a week, the paint hardened pretty good...i guess from getting so hot...

oh, make sure after you use the aircraft stripper, you clean the valve cover very good...use a good degreaser or laqor thinner if you have it...if not alcohol works too...scuff the surface up good so the paint has something to grab on to and clean again...

hope this helps, later...

 

[crashed97tsi]

hey germain101,


where do you get the aircraft stripper and high temp engine enamel?

thanks

 

[germain101]

i'm not sure if you can get it at a hardware store or not, but i got it from a auto paint and body store... the only reason i even knew about the stuff is because i'm familliar with paint and body work...

as for the hight temp engine paint, you can pick that up at any discount auto parts store or autozone...i have had the best results with the plasti-coat brand...

 

[crashed97tsi]

hey man sorry one more question,


did you take the valve cover off of the car when you did this or did you just tape around it. If you took off the cover you'd need a new gasket right?

thanks for the help

 

[germain101]

i took it off...unless the gasket is bad, you won't need to replace it...how old is it???if it's an old gasket i would just replace...if you want i'll get you the part numbers and prices...

 

[crashed97tsi]

my engine has 58000 miles on it. If i need one would i need to go to a dealer and get one or could i get one from like an autozone.

If you know of anywhere that would have them in stock let me know because i was hoping to do this over the weekend

and thanks again for the help

 

[germain101]

i'm pretty sure you have to get it from the dealer...the valve cover gasket is made up of 6 pieces...here's what you need...

valve cover gasket: MD125939 $18.45

spark plug gaskets: MD125940 $3.36x4 ($13.44)

half circle gasket: MD050536 $1.80


if the gasket hasn't been replace than i would say go a head and replace it...make sure when you put it on that you apply a thin layer of engine oil to the gasket (eccept for the half circle) to keep it from sticking to the head...you don't need to use any RTV either (eccept for the half circle)...hope this helps...

 

[green95hrcgs]

Just wondering if any of you have painted your valve cover the same color as your car using the SAME paint your car is painted with. I will have a body shop spray it and some other misc pieces but wanna know how it turned out and if it holds up to the heat.

Thanks for your help

 

[dave99gst]

valve cover dont really get THAT hot -- hi temp is nice to use, but ya dont have to - ive used normal paint and it holds fine

 

[redeclipse97]

I sand blasted mine and had a local shop powdercoat it, looks f*cking awesome. I'll try to get some pics of it in here soon. For color not chrome, powdercoating is your best bet.

 

[m_eclipse_96]

i want to paint my valve cover and want to know what type of paint to use on it and where i might be able to get it

can anyone help me

 

[candela]

anywhere as long as its at leist like 500* paint

 

[Bohrn]

I got some real nice stuff, VHT High temp, 550deg. It comes in lots of colours and is relatively cheaply priced. The red is very nice, I did my valve cover over christmas.

There is also some 1200deg stuff, but it is only in black and clear I think. It is for heat sheilds etc.

Biggest tip is "prep is so important" Don't skimp on time!

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

Also when you use the high temp paint from like autozone let drive for like 20 mins and then bake it, in the oven, I know it sounds weird but bake it. It sets so good, but make sure all the oil is clean from the cover. Yeah the whole house was smoked out. :laugh:

 

[candela]

 

[Davidle]

MOST AUTOPART STORES HAVE BRAKE CALIPER PAINT THAT IS 500-F OR MORE. THAT WOULD WORK FINE.

 

[91gsx]

i used high temp ceramic paint from wallmart. cost me $3 & it is pretty good so far. i also used the high temp clear coat.

 

[Bohrn]

I second the baking part Works good

I also second the making sure it is clean first, our house STUNK!!

 

[m_eclipse_96]

thanks for the help guys, It’s very appreciated

 

[m_eclipse_96]

i found the paint at autozone so im gunna use that, thanks guys

 

[Steel Hawk]

I searched the forums, couldn't find any definate information. Anyway I'm wondering if 1200 degree paint will melt inside the valve cover, if I paint the interior of the valve cover. I'm not sure on how hot the engine gets, although I think it's around 200 degrees. Anyone think this would be okay? Or does anyone know how hot it could get around the v cover?

Thanks

 

[doug]

Why in the world would you want to do that? You're only asking for trouble. And yeah, the engine gets a LOT hotter than 200 degrees, although I suspect that was a typo and you meant 1200 degrees.

Don't do it! Nobody can see it anyway.