Painting the Valve Cover

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I have a swapped engine and it doesn't exactly color match my car... and I was wondering how easy it would be to paint the valve cover myself... I was looking into buying a mugen one for around 120 USD but thats a little steep considering i'm still a student... Any suggestions on how to go about this? type of paint that wont come off from the heat. Can it be done without being sent to a shop?
It's a B16A. Thanks

And yes, I did search it already.

[heavyD]

You can try a decent high temp paint. It will look decent for a while but probably end up flaking or scratching very easliy.

I always get mine powdercoated. I've got various valve covers (B16, 4G63, SRT-4) done in white, red, black, etc and have never had any issues with durability

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

How much did the cost usually come around to?

[teggypimp95]

yea i used high heat spray paint on my b18b head, it looks great for a while but soon flaked and bubbled and then looked liek crap. so i splurged for the mugen valve cover and i loved it. looked soo awesome.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

where can i get the paint? i'll probably follow the same route... high temp paint till the summer when i can work full time

[teggypimp95]

i just got some from canandian tire. high heat engine paint. but there is all kinds, and for all kinds of surfaces so read carfully. and check to see if there is any high heat primer or sealer, could also help the life of the paint job.

[rony_espana]

Originally posted by heavyD
You can try a decent high temp paint. It will look decent for a while but probably end up flaking or scratching very easliy.

I always get mine powdercoated. I've got various valve covers (B16, 4G63, SRT-4) done in white, red, black, etc and have never had any issues with durability


how much is that?

[dieselpower91]

I painted mine and they still look fine. I would suggest sanding it down with 320 then 400 then do a couple coats of primer after a good clean then use the high temp paint. That the way I did it. Although it is more suceptable to scratches.
I guess the difference would be that my valve cover is plastic and yours would be metal.

Here is a pic: http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2265000-2265999/2265791_23_full.jpg

[teggypimp95]

yeah for best results for doing it urself, strip it down to complete metal. can be tough.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

its just a temp... i'm just sick of the fuggly yellow with the marker sayinfg what kind of engine it is, lol

[INITIALD]

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerosearch :thumbsup:

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Would I be able to get aircraft paint remover? Seems like an easy solution that was mentioned... Possibly walmart/can tire/automotive store?

[Deetz]

If you shop around, a good powder coat job should only cost around $60-70. It will last a long time, and take the heat too.

[joseph]

Go to Canadian tire in the house paint section and look for a paint remover. It's in a white and green bottle and comes in gel form. Just paint it on wait 10 mins then wash the valve cover paint off. Forget exactly what its called but I'll look and let you know tomorrow.:thumbsup:

[Phuqu]

How much are you looking to spend?

Automotive base/clear can be used without peeling, bubbling, etc..

I painted my valve cover awhile ago. It has survived over 100000km. That included 2 trips to Las Vegas in summer. Can't get much hotter than that.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/danboucher/wow4.jpg


What colour do you need it?

I might have some base colour mixed up already. If so just cover the cost of the clear and some sandpaper and I'll spray it for you. Maybe about $40.

If I have to mix base colour maybe $50-55 total.

Just make sure it's spotless if you bring it to me. I don't like washing oily parts. :D

[Papa Luv it]

You can use automotive base coat clear coat for painting valve covers, and it wont peel and bubble after a specific temp.
How interesting...

[heavyD]

Slick valve cover Phuqu.:thumbsup: How long did it take you to brush paint the flames?

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by joseph
Go to Canadian tire in the house paint section and look for a paint remover. It's in a white and green bottle and comes in gel form. Just paint it on wait 10 mins then wash the valve cover paint off. Forget exactly what its called but I'll look and let you know tomorrow.:thumbsup:

I've refinished 3 valve covers by hand.

#1 - I sanded by hand. Used coarse sand paper, and slowly got finer and finer. High heat paint. Look great, never flaked.

#2 - The second one I used a mouse sander/dremel. HH paint, never flaked.

#3 - I used paint remover, then polished it.

#4 - (upper intake plenum actually). I had this ceramic coated by top gun in a chrome colour. Looked amazing and only cost $120.

If you're going to do it yourself, go with method #3. IMO it isn't worth the time and effort to do it yourself though. Just pay someone to powder coat it.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

i will... eventually... but right now i'm looking for a cheaper temporary alternative... i'll probable just go and buy a new one
(mugen) eventually, but i'm cheaping out a little right now

[heavyD]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
i will... eventually... but right now i'm looking for a cheaper temporary alternative... i'll probable just go and buy a new one
(mugen) eventually, but i'm cheaping out a little right now

Save the money and wait to get it done right. It's only cosmetic anyway as its not like not getting it done affects the way your car is running.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
i will... eventually... but right now i'm looking for a cheaper temporary alternative... i'll probable just go and buy a new one
(mugen) eventually, but i'm cheaping out a little right now

Here's one that I did by hand. Just take your time and you'll be fine. Easiest is to buy another valve cover and swap them afterwards. Then sell the unfinished one...

The only costs were sandpaper and paint. Maybe $30 total? and a bit (maybe a lot) of time. The paint I used was metallic caliper paint from CDN tire.

Any specific questions. Send me a PM.

I've polished 2 sets of wheels by hand also...a pain in the a$$.

[CLiVE]

Only did the lettering myself on this plenum. The rest I had ceramic coated for $120.

Any place you do not want the paint to stick (lettering, etc). Coat it with vaseline (i used a chap stick) ahead of time. You can then peal of the paint off the lettering with an exacto knife.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

i just want the valve cover to be completely blue, no lettering...

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
i just want the valve cover to be completely blue, no lettering...

I think I have some of that metallic blue paint left.
Free if you want it.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

that would be awesome.. if you gimme a few mins i'll run over to the parking lot and take a pic of my engine bay to show you what it looks like right now

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
that would be awesome.. if you gimme a few mins i'll run over to the parking lot and take a pic of my engine bay to show you what it looks like right now

Sent you a PM.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

This is what it looks like right now... Got your pm

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

this is the marker i'm talking about

[Phuqu]

Originally posted by heavyD
Slick valve cover Phuqu.:thumbsup: How long did it take you to brush paint the flames?


It took CrossEyed about an hour and a bit to do the flames. It took a whole week to do the rest of the car.

[Weapon_R]

If you don't want to spend much money, prepare it by striping and cleaning the valve cover with aircraft paint remover and degreaser, and then use the highest heat paint you can find. I remember helping my friend do this years ago and it held up for a couple of years without chipping or flaking.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

where do i find the aircraft paint remover/degreaser?

[.civictyper.]

when you do decide to get a valve cover, tom motorsport has some new mugen ones in any color pretty much for 115$ shipped

heres the link

http://www.tommotorsport.com/2005/shop/index.php?page=produit_recherche&id_cat=41&lang=en&devise=USD

[PraviYugosloven]

If i was in your position i wouldnt paint it myself because sumtin might go wrong and end up lookin bad unless ur 100% sure about urself, and you know EXACTLY what your doing. Also you gotta have skill, but if i was gonna paint my value cover i would take it to a pro cuz i wouldnt want any mess ups.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Phuqu
It took CrossEyed about an hour and a bit to do the flames. It took a whole week to do the rest of the car.

I got a spare SRT-4 valve cover, would he do mine? I have no problems shelling out $$$ for quality work.

[FatboyTheHungry]

I wouldn't paint one. Get it powdercoated :thumbsup:

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

if i had the money to get it powdercoated... the thread name would be, where can i get my valve cover powdercovered... and i saw that mugen valve cover a long time ago

[handsomebassman]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
if i had the money to get it powdercoated... the thread name would be, where can i get my valve cover powdercovered...

lol.


Id go for it and paint it yourself. I painted my whole truck with just some online tutorials etc. A valve cover shouldnt be too bad and it shouldnt cost too much at all.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

well right now... i'm down to about... 3 bucks till payday (over a week from now) so i think i'm gonna take it a little easy... damn st patricks day....

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Well I painted it blue chrome... with the spark wire cover black... Kinda of a cheap job, the paint ran a bit, but not too too shabby... I'll take pics and post it once the rain stops

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Here's the TEMPORARY paint job

EDIT: Pic didn't upload :(

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Pic

[g20powa]

boooooooooooooooo

[JordanEG6]

:eek: WTF did you do!? sorry to say this to a fellow EG owner...but...that is terrible

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

bwahahaha I know... I was ready to cut myself and bleed all over it to get rid of that awful yellow... Don't worry... I'm going to either buy a mugen valve cover, or strip this one completely and get it powdercoated

[JordanEG6]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
bwahahaha I know... I was ready to cut myself and bleed all over it to get rid of that awful yellow... Don't worry... I'm going to either buy a mugen valve cover, or strip this one completely and get it powdercoated

i would definitely get it powercoated. im liking the color though. good luck

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Any ideas where/how much? If it's under... 50... i'll do it ASAP And how long would it be?

[szdzmtr]

if you are still looking for the aircraft stripper it's called TALSTRIP and I got mine at an automotive store that sells paint supplies. it works very good but be careful it will definately burn your skin if not used properly..good luck with the repaint..

[Vypros]

I could do your cover for you. Paint it all up and maybe even airbrush something on it.

I've had no problems with metal/aluminum/steel covers on my motors flaking and stuff. I j ust bench grind all the crud off with a steel brush wheel and then i high heat primer it. apply 3 coats of primer. then i apply 4-5 coats of base color with wetsanding in between. after that spray clear coat over top, wet sand, buff it up. i gotta redo the one for my s12 over again i missed a few spots and i hate the gold color i painted on it lol

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
how much? And how long would it be?

[Vypros]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf
haha if you can hook me up with a can of beer or two id be happy to do it for free. just supply the materials and i'll take care of the rest.

[dj_rice]

Your valve cover looks like a 9 year old painted it...WTF?:dunno:


Heres mine painted and clearcoated

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/djrice123/SA400349.jpg

[Teggy2nr]

I went to calgary honda got a brand spanking new itr valve cover for 150 bucks. And heres a pic of a sweet valve cover paint job imo

[Vypros]

haha jdm to the max

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Originally posted by Vypros
haha if you can hook me up with a can of beer or two id be happy to do it for free. just supply the materials and i'll take care of the rest.
i can do the beer... but what kind of materials would you need, and where do i get em? thats my problem

[Vypros]

Originally posted by LilDrunkenSmurf

i can do the beer... but what kind of materials would you need, and where do i get em? thats my problem
High Heat Primer
High Heat Base
High Heat Clear
Beer
Buffing pads
Polishing compound
5-7 days of waiting time (paint to cure and harden properly etc)
Canadian Tire
Auto Value
Parts Source
Napa

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

see... time... is a big factor... I have 1 valve cover... and 1 car to drive... and i go to school and work... soooooo.... And I don't have money to buy another valve cover

[bobyo_2001]

DO not paint them silver I did it and it looked like shit on my mustang.:banghead: