Okay these are the steps i took to paint my valve cover hopefully it will help anyone that wants to paint theirs as well...

The Supplies:
Sandpaper (IF NEEDED) If your valve cover is got uneven surfaces
Degreaser or (hand Soap)
Primer (White or Gray prefered)
Base Color of Choice
Clear Coat
*Patience*

NOTE* Keep all supply brands the same for best results. I used Dupli-Color found at any AutoZone, Walmart, Etc. When painting always have a good, and even flow of paint, primer, clear. Make sure that you are painting in a clean environment.

First Step: Take the Valve Cover off and everything you are plaining on painting, Battery Cover etc.

Second Step: Use the degreaser of your choice (You can also use hand soap) and wash off all of the grease, dirt and particles off of the valve cover.

Third Step: Let all of the parts dry.

Fourth Step: Tape off all parts that you do not want to paint, also remove all bolts and plastic screws from valve cover.


Fifth Step: Start with the primer spray the first coat really thin and let dry for about 1-2 hrs. Then apply the the second coat of primer, let dry 1-2 hrs.



Sixth Step: Paint the parts with the base coat of your choice, the paint I used is called Frescha Mocha Metalic (something like that) DO NOT APPLY TOO MUCH PAINT IT WILL RUN! You need to spray the paint like the primer in 2-3 coats to get a good coverage and bind. Follow Step 5.
*NOTE: Apply as many coats of paint as you preffer more is NOT always better!



Seventh Step: Time for the clear coat, when spraying clears do not try to cover a lot at one time IT WILL RUN its very watery... So take your time when doing this step *Patience* Follow Step 5 and/or 6. Let your clear dry a little more if needed Also apply as many coats of clear as you prefer...

Eight Step: Let all the parts dry dont rush and place back on engine.


ALL DONE! Any questions or if I forgot anything let me know.

 

same steps i followed... good DYI..



ps. i hate you guys with your facelifted IM cover.. anyone wanna trade? lol

 

Very cool. I'd actually match the cover to the cars paint... Get a spray can of your color -- available from online retailers that sell various methods of automotive touch up paint (Pens, aerosol cans, etc.)

 

^^ I know i was thinking about it but it cost too much just for painting a valve cover so i went and just got something very close to it and all cost me about 20 buxs together.

 

Not knocking you at all... just since this is a DIY thread I figure I'd mention that an aerosol can of automotive paint in any color (You usually just need to provide them w/ your paint code) is about $15 -- just search online.

I think it makes a big difference (personally) as well as if you like to show off your car, whether if it's at a meet or a car show. Having mismatched pieces is, meh.

 

cool i thought you were talking about the actual paint you buy in pints LOL that you have to spray out of a spray gun but i didnt know that, well that would probably be a whole lot better to have matching paint but mine aint to badly off of the exterior paint GOOD TIP man!

 

You could buy the 12oz of actual material and get a mini sprayer and it probably would be close to the same price (and these spray better)

 

SWEET...didnt know thanks

 

i used paint that matched to the eye because i found some with metal flake in it.. much more appealing and original then just regular color matching... dupont down the street from me sells the small spray cans of OEM paint.. but it didnt look near as good as dupli-colors finish...

 

since i have NBP, i don't really want to paint it black. i want some contrast
any suggestions on what to paint mine? ?? was thinking blue (like agp blue)

 

blue and black look really good.

black and red just looks plain MEAN...

i also like when people do dark purple accents on their black cars, no homo

 

i plan on doing mine green.

 

Looks good. Great idea

 

not bad... loving it...

 

hey i was thinking the paint they have a napa that they mix in a can to somewhat match your car color. do you think that kind of paint will work?

 

tein green possibly?

if you can find somebody that sells dupont.. go there 100%

they have the best matching factory paint and guarentee anything that is sold to you...

 

Nope. I was thinking more of a matte cypress green.

 

im in the process of painting mine right now. SSM 02 TL-S


PAINTS I USED


PRIMER


PRIMER


PRIMER


FIRST BASE COAT


FIRST BASE COAT


FIRST BASE COAT


i'll post finishing pics when i finish. most likely tmrw

 

here it is with the clear coat on, waiting for it to dry to put back into the car.









altogether..3 coats of primer, 4 coats of base color and 4 coats of clear coat.

 

i notice the type s engine cover is different from the tl-p cover. i never knew that lol

 

Nice job! How many cans of each did you use??? I'm may do the same for mine tomrrow.

 

umm half of the base can, half of primer and a full can of clear coat.

 

finish product...

 

^ NICE...
i really think ssm and agp are the best colors, if you're painting engine cover.
really pops out in the engine bay

 

well the color of the spray paint i got was called radiant silver. it took from 12pm-7pm to do so if you guys are trying to do this.. put out alot of time.

 

I want to do this. hmmm I want a different color though I dont want the color of my car. I wonder what would look good on a AM any suggestions?

 

You should do red like me Kev Lol

 

o was waiting for you to come in here Bryan. LOL yea that would be kinda sick huh?

 

You should paint it some off the wall color...LOL like Orange or Green make it stand out

 

its raised for the type s intake manifold... i have one sitting in my garage but the parts i gotta buy arent worth the time piecing together to put it on..

 

I was think'n a burnt orange would also look nice. It was easy and only cost like $20

 

why don't you guy paint that plate too??

 

what plate

 

jitty has his plate painted red. looks real nice

 

where 3.2 VTEC thing is... i painted mine black and left the letters and covers metallic gunmetal

 

i think on the tl-s, the 3.2 VTEC letters are red with those stripes.
...must be a bitch to tape them up without an exacto knife or something

it would look cleaner though

 

it is a bitch... taped my shit up just to paint it black..

when i repainted to metallic gunmetal.. i didn't even bother painting that plate.. lol

 

Suggestion My tl is NBP Type s A-spec Blue black seats should I match my seats (Blue) or brake callipers (red) ?

 

Looks good. Almost exactly like mine, except I did the valve cover red.


I actually also used the radiant silver. I'm in the process of re-doing it, but this time I am trying to get the smoothest finish possible. Hopefully, it will look almost like it's metal instead of plastic. I'll post pics when it's done.

 

Thats not your valve cover