Your Valve Cover can look like this for about $20.00 in paint and supplies..
"HOW TO" PREP & PAINT A VALVE COVER
1. Remove your valve cover (from here out known as VC) from the engine. IM assuming you have a good idea of how to do this.
2. If you want almost no downtime, hunt for a core VC in the local junkyard. This is optional.
3. Clean the VC with a strong engine degreaser and brass wire brush. Rinse. Then wash with strong detergent soap and water. Rinse.
4. If your VC was painted from the factory use a strong water soluble paint remover to remove all paint. Rinse. Then wash with strong detergent soap and water. Rinse. Towel dry then let air dry in sun for 1/2 hour.
5. If you are going to polish the raised lettering, now is the time to do so. I use a ROTO-ZIP tool to sand the lettering smooth of any scratches. Then I use a polishing bit to put a mirror finish on the letters. If you don't have a ROTO-ZIP or DREMEL, a block and 200 to 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper will work..
6. Wash and rinse the grit and dust off with soap and water then towel dry.
7. Use painters "blue" masking tape to cover the lettering. Then use a razor knife or Exacto knife to trim the tape around the letters..
8. I like to clean the VC one last time with a lint free cloth and acetone to make sure there are no finger prints or tape residue left on the VC.
9. My first coat of paint is Rustoleum silver metallic flake (Home Depot $4 a can get 2). Some may argue that a primer coat is needed. That is personal choice. I have done 18+ VC's without primer and they all have lasted and still look good... A second and third coat of the Silver metallic needs to be applied till desired sparkle is achieved. Let dry 10 to 20 minutes between coats.
10. Choose what color Anodized finish you want. Dupli-color offers RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW & PURPLE. These can be found at PEP BOYS or Autozone even Wal-Mart for about $5 a can.
11. Read instructions on can carefully. Applying light coats from 6" to 9" from the VC seems to work best for me.. (SPECIAL NOTE!!!! THE SPRAY NOZZLES ON THESE CANS TEND TO DRIP, MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HOLD CAN DIRECTLY OVER VC WHILE SPRAYING!!!!! I KEEP A PAPER TOWEL IN MY FREE HAND TO BLOT THE NOZZLE OFTEN!!!!)
12. The darker the color you want the more coats are needed but the less sparkle can be seen under the anodized finish when you’re done. Drying time between coats about 15 min.
12a. Dupli-color states that these finishes are heat resistant. I don't know to what temp but I have had my VC painted since early May when I bought the car and there has been NO flaking, bubbling, peeling or discoloration... It's pretty good stuff for off the shelf at the local auto parts store...
13. After the last coat of Dupli-color has started to dry, CAREFULLY peel off the tape covering the letters. An Exacto knife makes this a little easier. GO SLOW and always pull the tape in toward the middle of each letter, so you don't peel the fresh paint down the sides of the raised letters..
14. The last coat is a clear topcoat of Rustoleum Crystal Clear enamel. (Home Depot $4 a can) At first it goes on a little cloudy but as it dries it clears up perfectly and gives the VC a wet paint look all the time...
15. Let the paint on the VC dry/cure for at LEAST 6 to 12 hours.. (This is why I suggested you find a spare VC at the junkyard) overnight is best in a warm dry place, NOT IN THE OVEN!!!!! Unless you like it when your wife/girlfriend/Mom has a fit at you for stinking up the house with paint fumes...
16. Invite your friends over to admire your newly painted VC... And take pictures to post on DSMtuners!!!!
