tired of your black valve cover??

[zx3frenzy]

well i was so i finally got around to doing something about it. and since i couldnt find a how to on here to give a little insight i figured i would make one.

first off tools-
flat head screw driver
1/4" deep sockets and ratchet
hammer

supplies-
1000 grit sand paper
masking tape
purple power(or equivalent)
brake clean(carb&choke clean)
primer
white paint(if you used a clear primer like i did)
paint of color choice
clear coat
shop towels




heres a before shot


ok to get started un plug the fuel injectors,the thing on the fuel rail, coil packs, the two sensors on top of the valve cover, and the little ground wire conn.
being extra careful with this connector


then you can remove the plastic wire holder to the far left of the valve cover(holds the main fuse) by snapping it off by the five tabs



then pull the wires out of the way as much as possible.

there is a little metal bracket in the back right corner, you need to remove the wire from it and bend it back slightly for clearance



now remove the coil packs using caution

you can now remove the valvecover bolts breaking all of them loose a 1/4 turn before removing one.


(some of the studs on my valve cover were to long for even a deep socket to reach the nut,i tapped the socket down over the stud to reach the nut.)

the valve cover should be relatively free but you tap it with a hammer lightly to pop it free.

BE SURE TO COVER THE CAMS AND CHAIN WITH SOME TOWELS!


here is the removed valve cover


you should remove the sensor attached to it at this point too

to remove the bolts from the valve cover you need to tap out the retaining sleeves


to do this find a deep well socket that is the same size as them ( i used a 7mm one) and tap them out with a hammer

heres what you should be left with



i used compressed air to blow the bits of dirt out of all the cracks

now do a real quick cleaning with the brake clean. then sand everywhere you can reach.

then do a good cleaning with purple power(50/50 mix)

i then dried with compress air and used brake clean to remove any remains of the degreaser.

once your sure its dry (left mine in blazing fla sun for an hour) you can tape off the vent piece


ok paint time!!!
i used adhesion promoter which is clear so i painted it bright white first to make the blue come out MUCH brighter and richer.


then i put on the blue!!!



after the blue dried for a little bit i put on about 15 coats of clear to really make it shine. then you can tap the sleeves back in and reverse the removal heres the finished product!!!!!! i am getting that cover that focalpointgraphix was posting on here also should arrive anytime!






and just for fun heres some pics of me and my BP teammate playing the champion of our beer pong tourny we throw at froggers every week.
DEAN ROAD DESTROYERS! i am on the right check out my i am sorry for making that shot face!

[Sponsor]

[IcEMage]

Nice work man....

nice poster btw..... (2nd pic)

[jnorton05]

Looks good. I'll have to give that a try. Really hads some flare to the engine compartment.

[zx3frenzy]

thats a painting on velvet and thank you

[honhon]

looks good... i wonder how the paint will hold up to the heat though.

[zx3frenzy]

i have done this to just bout all my cars and have always just used regular spray paint. i have had these jobs stay looking new for about 65k miles. it is ALL in the prep(clean twice paint once). plus composite valve cover should never see more than 150 or so degrees. if you have a metal cover i would recommend high temp paint

[Egz]

Looks good.

[pensfan]

Originally Posted by Egz

Looks good.

i agree......oh wait you were talking about the valve cover....and not the girls. well the coverlooks good too

[josejsanchez]

yea those chicks look
hot....and the valve cover looks cool..

[aljenkins88]

Originally Posted by IcEMage

Nice work man....

nice poster btw..... (2nd pic)

ZING!!! They are in the dark haha