digest
Short Summary
Main recommendation: To get a durable rattle-can paint job on valve covers and other engine parts, strip the old paint to bare metal, degrease thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, and apply primer, color, and a clear coat in light, even passes, using only high-temperature (heat-resistant) paint. The video stresses that surface prep matters most, since paint will chip, fade, or peel if it sits on old paint, dirt, or oil.
Key Points
- Prep is the most important step: the video says to bring the part down to bare metal, because paint adheres best to bare metal.
- Use a 3-coat system in order: primer or adhesion promoter, color coat, then protective clear coat, rather than a single color coat.
- Work in light, even coats spaced about ten minutes apart, starting and stopping spray off the part, overlapping each pass by about half, and keeping the can 8 to 10 inches away.
- Protect the work from dust, flies, and debris, especially when working outdoors, by sealing it in a container or using a canopy.
- Avoid paint stripper on plastic, since it will damage it; plastic engine-bay covers should only be cleaned with alcohol.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions:
- Remove parts: Tape and label each spark plug wire so it goes back in the same hole. Remove the wires, then the four valve cover fasteners, and lift the cover off.
- Strip the paint: Spray a light coat of chemical paint stripper over the whole cover and let it work about 5 to 10 minutes until the paint bubbles. Brush off with a metal wire brush, then wipe with soapy water. For leftover paint, use more stripper, a metal wire brush, or 180-grit sandpaper, then wipe again with soapy water.
- Degrease: Use high-percentage isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free towel and wipe every surface, including lettering, until the towel comes up clean. Let it dry a minute or two.
- Mask: Use tape or vinyl decals over any area that should stay bare, such as a logo. Remove it while the paint is still soft, not fully dry, to avoid chipping.
- Prime: Spray light coats of primer from different angles, roughly 3 coats, a couple of minutes apart.
- Color: Spray the color coat while the primer is still tacky, in light even coats a few minutes apart, until fully covered.
- Tint or clear: Spray extra-light coats, about ten minutes apart. Do not apply thick coats to get coverage.
- Clear coat: Spray three light coats with about ten minutes between them. Slow the spray slightly on the last coat for a glossier finish and less orange peel.
- Lettering: Scrape raised letters with a sharp razor blade, then blow off debris before clear coating.
- Cure and reinstall: Let paint dry over an hour before handling, and avoid touching the surface. Replace the valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets while the cover is off, then reinstall.
- Paint must be labeled high temperature or heat resistant. Follow the can's instructions.
- Use a respirator that protects against both dust and paint, not a dust mask. The video recommends gloves and eye protection too.
- For parts painted in place, cover holes with tin foil, and watch for overspray and wind direction.
Bottom Line
Good results come from careful preparation and patience: strip, degrease, and then build the paint in several thin coats rather than trying to finish quickly.
