How to Paint a Valve Cover on a Car

Painted Valve Covers

The valve covers on many cars is what you first see when you look into the engine bay, so why not have them looking their best. Over time the surface may rust and they can discolor looking worn and beat, but with various paint colors to choose from, you can really create a custom look or maybe match them up with the color of your car!This job is best done with the valve cover removed from the car, although it can be done while the cover is still on the car. If you remove the cover, be sure to replace the old valve cover gasket.

Things You'll Need

• High Heat 500 degree Spray Paint
• 120 and 320 grit sandpaper
• Engine degreaser
• Rags
• Prep wipe or lacquer thinner
• Paper face mask
• Cleaning brushes
• Masking tape and paper (Needed if valve cover is not removed from vehicle)

Instructions

1. 

   Start by degreasing and cleaning the valve cover and being sure all the oil and grease is removed using your engine degreaser.

2. 

   Sand down any rough spots or surface rust with 120 grit sandpaper. Do this by hand and then follow up with 320 to 400 grit paper for a smoother finish using your cleaning brush to get into crevices. Be sure to sand clean any oil and debris from the bolt hole openings as well.

3. 

   Before any painting is done follow up with a wax and grease remover or lacquer thinner. You want the cover to be completely wax, grease and dust free.

4. If you are painting the cover while still on the car, tape and paper off all the surrounding areas. If you have the cover off, place the cover flat on a table or bench covered with paper placing some little pieces of wood under the edges of the cover to raise it up off the table some so that it won’t stick to the paper after the paint has been applied.

5. You will not be able to use a standard paint primer if you choose to use a primer at all. If primer is desired you must purchase a special high heat primer. In most cases though, as long as you have a good prepped surface, primer will not be needed using this thicker high heat paint.

6. 

   Apply 2 lighter to medium coats waiting 5 to 10 minutes between coats and then finish up with at least 2 heavier coats. You may also use a common hair dryer to help speed up the drying process between coats but keep the dryer moving or you will run the risk of boiling up or cracking the new paint.

7. 

   You should wait till the next day to install the cover back on the car if you have removed it . It is wise to also wait a full day before starting the car if you have left the cover on the car so the paint has had a chance to dry and cure.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get runs in the paint, you can wait till the next day and gently sand down the run and re spray the cover.

• You may use a fine cut rubbing compound after 24-48 hours on the cover to obtain a smoother factory type finish, but never wax the * painted cover.

• You "must" use a high heat paint which will tolerate at least 500 degrees.

• Always spray paint with paper face mask or respirator and work in a ventilated area.