Any tips for painting valve covers

I have a set of aluminum valve covers that I want to paint. Any tips for making the paint stick and not peal?

 

shake the can well

 

Check out James Bond, shaken....not stirred.

Behind every great paint job is an even greater PREP job. Make sure the area is clean. Use a good primer and a decent paint.
I'm terrible. I don't know what you are using for paint, but if I can find the color I want in an engine enamel then thats what I use for the motor, covers, wheels.........the shit I KNOW is gunna take a beating.

Seems to last for me.

 

powder coating?

 

If the surface is smooth, you'll have a tough time holding paint on it. Basically there is nothing to hold onto. I you're going to paint, I'd recommend to media blast the surface with something on the abrasive side to get a better paint surface. You could also always anodize, i suppose. I feel the best part of aluminum is leaving it aluminum though.

-scott noteboom

 

Thanks for the info. Im going to polish the sides and the top of the fins and paint between the fine.

 

If that's all you're doing, the surface between the fins usually isn't polished anyway, so just make sure it's really clean (I usually spray them with brake cleaner) and dry, and try to paint them in the sun.

 

Heat the covers before you spray. I aim for a temp that SLIGHTLY bubbles the paint when applied, or very slightly less than that. This seems to help the paint adhere by opening the pores of the metal.
Anyway, it's worked for me for years in keeping paint stuck.

Cosmo

 

I havent had the chance to use this, but someone on here mentioned this, and it sounds like it would work great.

-Tape off the valve covers, except for the finned area.
-On the top of the fins, that will be left unpainted, rub them with cherry lip balm (chapstick). You use cherry, so you can see it on the covers
-Paint the desired area
-After the paint has dries, unmask the covered areas, and wipe the top of the fins, where the chapstick was applied

I wouldnt hesitate to use this method, just havent had the need to do so lately.

 

I remember hearing about cheap paint jobs where they would grease the windscreen instead of masking. same prinicple really.

anything "oily" will do as the paint wont adhear to it. as long as you dont get the oily stuff on the area you want to paint.

 

PREP IS KEY!!! Aluminum is real soft so beware too much sanding. Depending on how dark a color your going with and whether or not you're going single-stage or base/clear will also dictate how much sanding you'll get away with. I believe they make aluminum etching products to help paint stick as well. Basically, clean the shit out of it, give it nice light scuff(grey scotchbrite maybe), wipe her down, blow her off, and start spraying. When your done you can easily wet sand any paint off of the fins with super fine sandpaper (1000-1500 grit). Maybe run a buffer across 'em after word... make 'em look real purrty.

 

1. Paint only the OUTSIDE of the valve covers.

2. Don't paint them on the kitchen table...trust me!

3. Avoid the temptation to use your favorite water colors.

4. Crayons are also not a good idea.

5. Make sure nozzle is pointed towards the valve covers before pushing down to spray.

6. Don't paint 'em outside in the snow or rain.

7. Paint them pink at your own risk.

8. Lip balm is good...they get bitchy when they chap.

9. Shake can well before use.

10. Do not paint on engine with engine running, the fan will send overspray backwards.


We're here ta help, Bro!!!

 

Just finished painting this one. Look for the story in Classic Trucks magazine.

 

I don't think I would put anything oily near a painted surface, it is too easy to contaminate the surface. Step 1: clean clean clean. Step 2: give the paint something to stick to with a light scuff. Step 3: paint to your heart's content.

As for highlighting surfaces with another color, do this. Paint the whole object the color you'll use for the highlight. Then lay down some clear coat. Then paint the object the "other" color and wipe off this color in the places that you want to expose the first color with lacquer thinner. Then clear the whole object. Works great on finned items, license plates, just about anything.

 

I agree on not using the chapstick method. I've tried it and contamination is inevitable. Mask the outside and ends of the fins only. Then after immediately after painting take an old t-shirt or other non-nappy cloth and lightly soak it in reducer or thinner. Should not drip when you press down on the soiled cloth. Then just wipe off the paint on the high spots on the fins. I did alum. valve covers this way and they look great.