Painting valve covers...

I know some of you have painted valve-covers on your engines. A few quick qestions about that:

1.) I have never removed a valve-cover before, can I just unbolt it and pull it off, or is that gonna screw something up? When it goes back on, do I have to worry about torqueing the bolts in a certain pattern?

2.) What kind of paint should I use? Just any kind of high-temp paint?

3.) Should I use some kind of primer on it before I paint it?

4.) How do I remove the original finish? It's already flaking off in a few places, should I use a paint-stripper gel or something?

5.) How would you recommend I avoid getting paint on the "H" logo and the other raised lettering? Should I paint it all and then grind the faces of the lettering?

Think that's about it, unless I'm missing something. Any help would be appreciated.

i wouldnt paint it because even with high temperature paint, it will come off. i suggest having it powdercoated. unbolt the valve cover then take it to get it sandblasted, then take it to get it powdercaoted. it will look better and last alot longer too.

SI is right about powdercoating lasting longer, but if you HiTemp paint it correctly it will last. Get it sandblasted or sandblast it yourself, then paint it at least 3 coats. Also to keep the letters unpainted either do a really good tape job or vaseline on the letters works best but you have to be careful to only cover the letters.

Yea I went the paint method way. Just bought some of that canned paint stripper its called like "aircraft remover" or something, there is a plane on the can I know that lol. Spray it, let it set 5-10 mins...repeat till its clean. Wash it off with water let it dry. Then sprayed it with at least 4 good coats easy (i used 500 deg engine paint). Never had a problem. Helps alot if you have a spare valve cover so you don't have to put your car down for a day hehe. Also if you can go for the powered coat it does look alot nicer if the paint thing doesn't work out.

Btw, watch your 4 bolts that hold the cover down. I've stripped mine like 3-4 times and gotten oil everywhere (don't ask how i accomplish this amazing feat lol). No need to use a torque wrench, just once they get tight give them a good crank to make sure they are snug and you should be ok.

Where would i take my vavlve cover to get it powdercoated?

i got mine painted when i got the car painted and it is holding up great

I painted mine with caliper paint without any primer and it's holding on perfect. If the cover is done you can sand away the paint on the lettering with some sand paper on a piece of wood or something, works great.
You don't have to get new gaskets if your old gaskets still look ok.
When you are working with the paint remover get the spark plug gaskets off (those o-rings), these may sound logical but I forgot it and the paint remover ruined the gaskets.
And when re-attaching it, don't tighten the bolts too much, they break very easy.

Originally posted by mycivicisonair
i got mine painted when i got the car painted and it is holding up great

Yeh my gurl uses caliper paint and it looks str8. I painted my valve cover on SOHC but i didn't like how it turned out. I like that rough sandy look. Thats why i'd rather buy me the type r valve cover since i wanted it red anyways. Oh by the way becareful removing your valve cover. Try not to ruin the seals or else you have to reseal it which is a very easy thing to do. Oh and get the one thats sensor safe.

Oh and get the one thats sensor safe.

Get what? Is that paint?

Thanks for all the help dudes.

first off when you take off the cover, you will need to replace the gasket, and dont just wrench all the bolts down, start from the outside bolts and work your way in slightly at first, then torque them down to spec, if you dont the gasket will not sit right and could cause a leak, or even blow out.

Originally posted by ci5ic


Get what? Is that paint?

Thanks for all the help dudes.

Gasket seal. Not paint.

edit: my post should read that you should start from the inside bolts and work out to the ends.

Originally posted by crxlvr
first off when you take off the cover, you will need to replace the gasket, and dont just wrench all the bolts down, start from the outside bolts and work your way in slightly at first, then torque them down to spec, if you dont the gasket will not sit right and could cause a leak, or even blow out.

If your valve cover gasket still looks ok you don't need to replace in on Honda's.
I used to think that too until I talk to my Honda mechanic who said I could savely use my old gasket (if in good shape).
He also said that I could just tighten the bolts by hand and then one little twist. It's been 2 months now since the paintjob and everything is :cool:
I'm not saying your talking BS, off course it's better to torque them down and to replace the gasket, but absolutely necessary? No.