painting polished valve covers


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By YellowWing - 14 Years Ago
I have noticed several members on the board that have the grooves on their polished aluminum valve covers painted. I would like to do this to my car and was wondering what those on the board have found to be the best way to do it.



This might be a good post to show off your detailed engine.



Mike Johnson

Rimrock Az

1956 Fairlane "OREO"
By BIGREDTODD - 14 Years Ago
These aren't mine, mine are just remaining as-cast between the fins. These are a set that were "offered" to me, but wanted too much for...knowing how badly I was wanting a set, that's saying something...anyway, here are the Edelbrocks with red between the fins...
By BIGREDTODD - 14 Years Ago
Here's some Offy's, on what most would consider a super model of Y-blocks...
By YellowWing - 14 Years Ago
Todd, That's the look I'm after. Don't think my engine will ever look that good though! I also plan to do a little block smoothing while the engine is out in a couple months. Mike
By kidcourier - 14 Years Ago
   On my chrome T-Bird valve covers and the Billet Specialities ribbed air cleaner(kinda matches the ribs on the valve covers) I went to my local auto paint store and got "good" masking tape that was the same size as the ribs,a purple scotchbrite pad(lightly scuffing the grooves between the ribs/cleaning ribs after)and can of high temp spray paint,hung them by hooks from the end of the garage door and sprayed away(not recommended in high breeze--LOL),let them set in the sun for a couple of hours or bake in oven for 20 minutes at about 350' degrees(but don't let your wife catch you or there's going to be "Hell" to pay--LOL)If in the oven-remove tape first! KID
By charliemccraney - 14 Years Ago
kidcourier (4/8/2010)
let them set in the sun for a couple of hours or bake in oven for 20 minutes at about 350' degrees(but don't let your wife catch you or there's going to be "Hell" to pay--LOL)If in the oven-remove tape first! KID




I've used my car as an oven. I put the painted parts in the car, on a garbage bag. The paint won't stick to the garbage bag. With the engine enamels, it seems like they need to go through a few heat cycles before they really cure. I spilled gas on a manifold that had been drying about a week and the paint came right off. I do not have that problem at all with painted parts that have been on the running engine, and heated several times.

So I say paint it, don't get any solvents on it once painted, put it on the engine and run it.