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. Did 3 coats of it here. Brought it back inside to finish drying completely.

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 9:51 PM 3/3/2009

[R350Zz33]

looks good ive been thinking bout painting some of the components in my engine bay

[aris_unlimited]

looks good ive been thinking bout painting some of the components in my engine bay

save money, buy tires

[bmike818]

save money, buy tires

...

I can't wait to see the Valve Covers installed. I can really

[dasoupdude]

E

looks good ive been thinking bout painting some of the components in my engine bay

Engine/battery/fluid covers YAYYYYYY

[tollboothwilley]

I just might do the battery/brake fluid covers as well.

We'll see.

[R350Zz33]

if u want blue ones my friend that just got a used 04 has blue ones

[xjmxstac]

^^^He already painted it blue, why in hell would he want to buy another set of USED blue ones? Why, huh, why?...

BTW OP, nice job, please post finished product installed!

[Anthonysflying]

this is kind of off topic but are you replacing the coils with OE or did you find something anything quality?

[tollboothwilley]

Replacing with OE

I bought a set of them for cheap. Normally like $80-90 for one.

My car has 135K right now.

[tollboothwilley]

updated.

[AZFAIRLADYZ]

wow nice! I'm wondering what its going to look like when its installed

[tollboothwilley]

save money, buy tires

This is very inexpensive compared to tires/wheels.

Just takes some time and patience.

[bmike818]

This is very inexpensive compared to tires/wheels.

Just takes some time and patience.

off topic

zer...front

[tollboothwilley]

FYI - Install finished

This is not the finish look of my engine bay, just the finished look of the valve covers.

[BusyBadger]

^^^He already painted it blue, why in hell would he want to buy another set of USED blue ones? Why, huh, why?...

I just might do the battery/brake fluid covers as well. We'll see.

Richie was talking about the unpainted covers that were referenced above.

Now, less nitpicking and more work on cars.

OP - Are you doing your own polishing on the plenum or outsourcing it?

[tollboothwilley]

Doing it myself.

Been working on it for a while.

I have some Tripoli and some Rough but its been cold here lately so its not warming the aluminum up enough to polish properly.

Its a PITA for the polishing. I didnt realize how long it takes.

[Anthonysflying]

What kind of equipment are you using to polish? the plenum starts out pretty rough right? maybe a sandblast would help start things off. I would rather polish the inside

[Logan76]

I dont know if sandblasting it would help at all, It would just turn it white. If you do have any abrasive blasting done, make sure you glass bead it, it will come to a nicer finish, because glass bead polish's but sand is abraisive.

[NSRsheets]

Did you replace the gaskets to? I just replaced mine because mine were leaking to. You got me beat on the mileage. I only have 110k on my 03.

[tollboothwilley]

I started it out with a really rough sand.

If I were to do it again, I would have it glass beaded.

I replaced the gaskets as well when I replaced the VCs...and ignition coils.

Feel a def. change with the new coils. Pulls much harder from 3000K up.