VQ35DE Valve Covers - Paint Job DIY

[tollboothwilley]

So I have a (almost) new set of valve covers that I'm installing due to the leaking oil in cylinders #3 and #6. Along with the covers I have a set of new ignition coils I'm installing. However, before I do the install I thought that this would be a good chance to dress up the engine bay a little.

What better time to paint the valve covers right?

I decided that I was going to paint the covers blue because my catch can, jwt pop charger, and stillen engine damper were all blue and in the engine bay already.

Here's a pic with all the necessary goodies for accomplishing the job.

I used the simple green to clean the valve covers first. Spray and let stand for 5 min or so. I sprayed both sides of the covers. After that, wash off the VC's. Repeat process but this time use a tooth brush to agitate and clean any tougher areas. Follow with a thorough rinse. Let air dry for a few minutes then use a cloth (microfiber is best) to dry and prep the side we are going to paint.

This is what mine looked like after I dried them off.

At this point if you have a lot of irregularities you can sand/wetsand the VC's down. I was fine with the current condition of mine, otherwise I would have used 320/400 grit.

Next Step is to finish preparing the VC's for the adhesive promoter (primer) and paint. Tape up all areas. You can also tape any designs if you feel so inclined. Here's what mine looked like. In the pic you'll see I missed one spot on the right side VC. I taped that up later.

Spray 3 coats of the adhesive promoter on, allow 2-3 min between coats. This dries fairly fast. Be sure to get hard to reach areas as well. The adhesive promoter I used was clear so no need for a picture.

Start painting within 10 min of the last coat of primer. Here is mine after 2 coats of the paint I chose. (I chose this paint because it will withstand 500* temperatures)

I applied 3 coats of paint to my VC's. Here is what they look like. I brought them inside to dry. It still gets cold in the garage overnight right now. This will ensure that the paint is ready for the clear coat (It needs 3 good drying hours).

Clear Coat. Sprayed 3 layers of it. Inside where its warmer to finish drying completely before install.

Removed all the taped areas. Finished look, ready for install.

INSTALL

To start with...

Remove upper and lower plenums

Heres the stock valve covers

Removed the drivers side, now you can see what's inside!

Before installing, you need to use RTV here.

Drivers side in, side by side comparison.

Both installed now.

With plenum back on.

NOTE: This is not my final product. I have plans with the Plenum. Should be polished up and on soon.
Modified by tollboothwilley at 9:26 PM 3/3/2009

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

John, You got to much time on your hands

DJ

[TeflonG35]

John, You got to much time on your hands

DJ

Agreed. But I really want to see how it turns out.

[tollboothwilley]

This didnt take much time. Maybe 1 1/2 hours to this point. maybe 30 min more tomorrow for the clear coat.

When you see my plenum that I'm polishing, then you'll think I have tons of time.

I've been working on it for a while. Plenums are a batch.

[Ar878]

Agreed. But I really want to see how it turns out.

+1

[TeflonG35]

It's 9am. Hurry up and get this ball rolling already. Lol.

[tollboothwilley]

UPDATE - Clear Coat pic added.
Modified by tollboothwilley at 3:20 PM 2/27/2009

[Tonysg35]

i like that color what color is the car?

-Anthony

[tollboothwilley]

Car is black. I think this color of blue looks great. i approve of my decision to paint the VC's.

[awdjdmtalon]

Well the car in his sig is black. Sooooooooooo.......I'd say his car is black.

(sorry for the smart azz comment, couldn't help myself)

[tollboothwilley]

you're perceptive aren't you??

haha

love the sm@rt@ss comments! haha

[Tonysg35]

leeking better each pictuer you take keep up the good work

[tollboothwilley]

updated.

[TeflonG35]

They still aint done yet?!?! I don't have patients for this kind of s***...

[tollboothwilley]

Mon or Tues possibly for install. We'll see. Don't worry. It'll happen.

[G_whizz]

Mon or Tues possibly for install. We'll see. Don't worry. It'll happen.

Wicked!

Looking forward to the final pixorz!!

Thanks for articlizing your project for others TBW!!

[TeflonG35]

**Taps foot**

[BrandAidDesignG35]

John, you da man...

I've seen some people have also painted / powder coated / Chrome plated the upper plenum... is this something you're going to consider also? I say go all out man... I'd love to see these pics also, but I know how it goes with this stuff...

[tollboothwilley]

DONE AND DONE.

Take a look everyone.

Grant -

I am polishing my plenum. I've actually been in the process for some time now. Its a BATCH. Takes a long time, but I think it will be worth it in the end. I may even do some paint/design work on the plenum. We'll see.

I'll probably photoshop what it will look like with variations and then will make a final decision.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Photoshoping is cheaper than installing and kicking yourself in the a**.

Regarding the updated pics... ^ Looking really good man, I think the blue looks exotic on a G.

You should coat the plenum as well... it would look sick

[G_whizz]

Looks excellent!!

Another successful doeeeet urself mod!

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Looks nice!

[Rivalry]

May I ask the purpose of the RTV only being used on the aft edge?

[tollboothwilley]

FSM specified just the corners, but I figured I'd wrap the RTV in between as well.

There is a gasket that you replace on the bottom of the VC's.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G35/Sedan/2003/em.pdfpage 43 I think

Apparently those corners are susceptible to leaks?? Dunno for sure.

[IanS]

Any chance I can get some finished, installed pictures of the engine bay. Id like to articleize this, but Im not sure it would be complete without some pictures form a little further away with everything installed.

[tollboothwilley]

This is from a long time ago.

My engine bay has changed a little since. Its still in changing mode. A little at a time.

here's a few pics. What else are you looking for?

wrapped my intake with heat tape, switched to stillen airbox instead of JWT heat shield, painted black - blue on the STILLEN name to match the valve covers

battery/power steering covers painted to match

polished the plenum

mini wire tuck, polished plenum spacer/lower plenum & valve covers, Blue Samco coolant hoses, relocated a few grounding points.