sure no problem. i may as well salvage myself since i told the OP i painted my valve cover when i really only had painted my injector tube cover . i always call that injector cover a valve cover for some reason and i know better.

FWIW the duplicolor metalcast "SMOKE" is a really great color for interior pieces like the trim rings. goes real well in either a silver or especially the antachrite interior. the other colors look really good if you have a colored interior and want anodized looking rings.

 

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/metalcast.html



Great stuff !

 

any updates?

 

Ha i havent had time.. but i did Buy the paint! haha.. I'm hoping by the end of the week.

 

I finally did this over the weekend. Here are a few pics. Naturally, I don't have any pics of the finished project yet.

 

So this may be a stupid question but what type and grit sand paper should i use to sand the cover before i paint it?

 

Personally, I didn't think it needed sanding. It has a texture to it already that seemed fine for me. I used Duplicolor adhesion promoter primer for plastic, and Duplicolor hi-temp engine paint.

The messy part was de-greasing the cover. It is, naturally, covered in oil on the underside! After hosing it down a few times, I realized more drastic measures had to be taken. I ended up taking a bath with the thing! Really. I got in the tub with it and used hot water and dishwashing soap to clean it. Now that is something that should have been photographed.

Ken

 

Any pictures of how it turned out??

 

Here it is:

 

Wow...That looks fricken sweet!!! Like the checks on the horns as well

 

yeah man that looks great! this is my weekend for this aswell!

oh yeah

 

Verrrrry nice.... gotta do something to my bay this year...

 

Post some pictures when you are done.

Also have plenty of Simple green around. Cleaning is the key to the paint adhereing. Lots of soapy water.

 

Clearly, you just can't help yourself when it comes to a spray can.

Just humping your leg a bit .

seriously, looks great

 

Thanks all!

And Bart, you are correct!

 

Kentiki,
It looks great! What's next?
KG

 

Any updates on the project?

 

Hey all,

Thanks Kailuageoff! I actually had a custom decal printed to cover the MINI sticker on the valve cover, mainly b/c the original had a couple scratches, and I can't leave well enough alone.

Anyone else done this mod recently?

What I wanna do next is remove and paint the pasenger side engine/transmission mount. I have some friends in Orlando I can probably trick into helping me out with it!

Ken

 

There is a few decals people have made to go over the MINI decal on the valve cover.
Also there are a couple guys that painted the trans mount. I think if you look around the threads you may find them.

 

Malcon time to post the painted valve cover.

 

i know!.... i'll have them up monday... i'm waiting on my camera to get back to me.

 

So... three questions:

1. How many total hours to do something like this for someone who has never taken off a valve cover before?

2. Do you need to replace the valve cover cover gasket when you are done?

3. What do you think a dealer would say about this?

 

Takes about twenty minute to take the valve cover off. Maybe an hour the first time.

You should replace the valve cover seal. cheap and easy to get at any auto parts store.

Why would the dealer care? It does not effect in any way the operation of the engine. It is the same as if you put seat covers on. No really it is not a warranty issue.

It is easy and a fun way to personalize you engine compartment.

 

lol i wish i didnt see this page....now i have something else to paint lol

 

ok here are some pics... sorry for the messy engine... didnt have a chance to clean it.. just wanted to take some fast pictures to throw on here...
hope you like!




and this one just because i cant resist... oh yesh! minis dirty!


and yes that is a noodle in the back of my car! we're driving up to the lake today! oh yeah