Painting Valve Covers

[Dr Juice]

I got a stock SOHC valve cover and its all grimey and doesnt have any luster any more. I wanted to know is painting them is posable and if so, how would i go about doing it.

[snowman2005]

take off valve cover, clean, sand, paint thats how i did mine i didint use high temp paint tough but its still holding good. id recomende using high temp paint safer.

[Dr Juice]

I heard that wet sanding helps, which i dont know what it is, and is there such a thing as high temp primer. Lastly what brand of paint did you use

[snowman2005]

heres what i did(got it off internet)
Remove the valve cover
Prepare the valve cover to accept paint
Mask the areas you do not wish paint to be
Paint
Remove masking
Install Valve cover and become the envy of all of your friends
Ok, here are the details. Start by removing the spark plug wires. You don't have to take them completely out, just leave them hanging from the distributor out of your way. Next your gonna have to remove the PCV tube. That's the one that goes from the back of the valve cover into the air intake tube.

Now that all of that crap is done with you can get dirty. Well it's really not that dirty. There are five bolts on the top of the cover, 2 in the rear and 3 up front. Remove these. They won't come out all the way. Just make sure their no longer threaded into the block. Pull the cover off of the block. Put the rubber seal in a safe location and place a lint free rag over the exposed valve train.

Clean the oil out of the cover with a rag or paper towels. Paint doesn't like smooth surfaces so you'll have the ruff up the valve cover to give the pant something to adhere to. Use some gnarly sand paper like 120. This step is the hardest to do mentally. DO NOT SAND THE AREAS YOU DO NOT WANT PAINTED. This might include the sealing surface on the bottom or the "Honda" or "VTEC" words.

To keep paint from getting in all those places you wish it not to be you'll have to do some masking. Use some crumpled up paper and masking tape for the holes and edges. Use some Vasaline® petroleum jelly on the smooth machined "Honda" and "VTEC" words.

OK now it's time to paint. I used VHT wrinkle paint from Vic Hubbard. This has nearly the same texture as the factory paint that some Hondas come with. Unless you like your lungs looking like your new paint job be sure to observe the precautions on the paint can. Paint as directed. Carefully wipe of the Vasaline® from the letters and let dry.

dont forget to change the gasket really cheap ihard trouble with a leak and had to replace it

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Dr Juice

I heard that wet sanding helps, which i dont know what it is, and is there such a thing as high temp primer. Lastly what brand of paint did you use

Wet sanding is just whatg the name implies, you wet the sand paper and or the material being sanded, and you sand it wet. You want to keep the sand paper wet and area wet when doing this, Some people add a little mild car soap too to help lube it a bit.

Also, as he said, replace the valve cover gasket...you should replace it every time you remove the vavle cover.

[wfot71]

how much would a gasket cost for a 92 prelude si and where would i order one from

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by wfot71

how much would a gasket cost for a 92 prelude si and where would i order one from

It shouldn't cost too much, maybe like $35. Besides the dealership, which will be overpriced likely (though if you are sticker for OEM gaskets, call around, different dealerships can vary in pricing), you can try auto parts store like Baxters, Shucks/Kragen/Checker, etc.

[Tranzlogic]

yeah man just buy a new gasket at like carquest or auto zone etc...you can get a vlave cover gasket there for about 15.00, then buy the DUPLICOLOR high heat engine enamel in whatever color you want, that will be 4.99, and yes if you choose to due so they also offer a High Heat engine primer..it will be on the same isle for about 4.99 as well... just remember to clean it using a can of brake clean and a brush or something not something that will leave residue behind or you will get fish eye in your painting..sand it down gently..doesnt have to be all tore up..and i would use 180 grit ...then paint it, let it sit for a day then your good to go