Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

So I was thinking of painting my IM and Valve Covers. Since they are plastic, they do not need to be sandblasted right? What color do yall think should work nicely.

I was either gonna do a glossy, high shineblack, or red. Gunmetal? Any other color suggestions?

And also, what kind of paint (spray? high temp?) should be used. Here is a pic of my engine bay.

http://xs128.xs.to/xs128/08243/2387939_99_full270.jpg

This is just too sick: http://www.deviantpixels.com/zdrive/ekvalvecover1.jpg

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Well if your car is black, i would say either glossy black like you mentioned, or a goldish/gunmetal would look hot. I think red would be too much and look out of place. As for procedure, i would just sand with some 320grit then 800grit sandpaper then paint. You may want to use a primer of some sort before you spray the actual paint. Since it does get pretty hot under the hood i would definately use a high-temp paint rated atleast at 500 degrees

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

My ride is silver....so silver, gunmetal or black? chrome is outta the question....too bright.

So i need to sand this stuff down even though it's plastic? How is that gonna work? I don't want to crack it or anything.... The valve cover I understand...but at the moment its the spark plug cover and the IM cover I'm going after.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Oh well i still say black or gunmetal even thought he car is silver. And sanding will roughen up the surface and allow the paint to stick better... U dont have to sand for long, just enough to roughen up the surface.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Hmm...its up to Autozone now whether they carry high gloss black or gunmetal. I guess I could sand for like 5 minutes using rough grit.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

I would sand longer than that and go to at least 600 grit. If you use something to rough the scratches can show through the paint.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

ive been doing this project for a while now. Def sand it, dont worry about cracking it. Its strong plastic. then prime and sand a little bit more to make it even. Def go with high heat. I havent finished it yet cause ive been lazy and i left it at my moms house

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

So 320 grit, then 600, then 800?

Is primer necessary? And should I do a clearcoat spray after 3 coats and cured?

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Just go up to 600, anything finer and you risk it being too smooth and chipping. I did 2 coats primer, 3 coats paint, 3 coats glossy clear coat. Look for paint that says it can be used on Lexan or polycarbonate. That's what I used for R/C car bodies, it's a bit more flexible and sticks to the plastic better.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Dang...that must have turned out nice. All this is spray right?