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"

1956 Fairlane Victoria (ORREO)

 

Overlooking Beautiful Rimrock AZ

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...

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

Here's some Offy's, on what most would consider a super model of Y-blocks...

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

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

1956 Fairlane Victoria (ORREO)

 

Overlooking Beautiful Rimrock AZ

   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

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.


Lawrenceville, GA