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?

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

Yep. I used Duplicolor High Temp Engine Enamel in Ford Red, same brand with the primer (gray) and clear. It looks comparable to the glossy black powdercoated valve cover on my 6th gen.

RE: Painting IM Cover / Valve Cover
 

What color is your ride finch?