Best paint for valve covers?

[cr_the_machinist]

I'm currently in the process of a top end rebuild on my truck and the valve covers are looking pretty gnarly. What's the best type of paint to use for that application.... enamel?

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

VHT high heat.Follow the driections on the can to the letter.Bake them in the oven to cure the paint.

 

[Angie]

These were done in epoxy primer then sprayed with Iroc Blue paint. One thing to make sure of that you don't have any little bits of oil, grease on the covers, they will possibly give you fish eye problems. If you are using automotive sprays look for epoxy spray bomb (i am not sure if this is availible in spray bomb) We used arcrylic enamal body paint, heat shouldn't be an issue for using epoxies. if you are using spray bombs look into getting engine enamel.

here is a link to other thread of the build.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52964

 

[crbnunit]

Prep work is the key. I'd blast them if it were me. Sand or bead. Get them to bare metal, prime and paint. If you don't, you can never be sure you have all the oil and grease off of them.

Another thought, I just had some airplane parts powder coated for a very reasonable price...

 

[AllanD]

Personally, I'd also blast them, but I'd follow that with self etching primer,
grey primer (specifically engine enamel primer) then plasticote engine enamel.

I'm a traditionalist, I'd paint them ford grey

AD

 

[Beef52751]

I'm a traditionalist, I'd paint them ford grey

AD

I would go with OLD FORD BLUE!!!!

 

[daniel3507]

I would go with OLD FORD BLUE!!!!

Hell yes! I'm a sucker for Ford Blue. im thinking about painting my diff cover ford blue since i have a can laying around

 

[AllanD]

Old fords (carb 302's an such) yeah ford blue.

But on the more modern EFI engines I think Cologne grey is just right.

To me Ford blue is just... wrong... on a 2.9/4.0 engine.

I do however paint manifolds, timing covers and other ALUMINUM parts
with silver mag wheel paint.

AD

 

[cr_the_machinist]

I ordered new valve covers today from the local dealership. I was standing in front of the wire wheel watching the rust spots slowly turn into gaping holes. Think I'll just keep them the stock grey. No point in moding a perfectly fine part.

 

[Beef52751]

The floor in the engine shop i work at is painted ford blue, and all the motors that leave(unless otherwise specified) leave the shop painted Ford Blue, and yes most our engines are small block chevys.

 

[Rifleman]

I do however paint manifolds, timing covers and other ALUMINUM parts
with silver mag wheel paint.

AD

As long as it's not the really bright silver, it looks ghetto/rice.

 

[99iowa4x4ranger]

i used engine enamel old ford blue.. the bright blue.. ill get some pics later

 

[99iowa4x4ranger]

on to the pics. sorry about the dirty engine bay. its been raining lately

 

[99iowa4x4ranger]

well.. lets try this again, since they didnt show up..

 

[99iowa4x4ranger]

well... i guess ill just post the link.. since its not working today...

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x232/98contourgl/?action=view&current=SD530736.jpg