My little weekend project, fixing up and painting a valve cover

[76Datsun280z]

I had an extra valve cover in the garage that wasn't to pretty, so I thought I'd fix it up as best I could to get it back to looking stock and thought it would make a fun little weekend project. It was pretty oily and greasy along with what appeared to be some oxidation on the outside. I degreased the inside of it with engine degreaser with small wire brushes and got the inside looking much cleaner and then flushed it out thoroughly. I then wet sanded the outside of it with 1000 grit sand paper to clean up the oxidation and smooth everything out. I painted it with Dupli color engine enamel, the closest match that I could find to be original.

Any how, I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out. I'm debating whether or not I'm going to replace my polished one with it or not. After a few more coats, I think I'll put it on and see how I like it.

This is the one that's on my car now.

Which one do you think would be the better looking one on it?

[dualies]

Can you send me the one you just finished? looks much better than the polish one. where do you get the Dupli color engine enamel? I think i will do mine the same way.

[sblake01]

I actually like the painted look better. It's easier to keep up.

[barth4567]

That does look real good. What a difference. Not to hijack the thread ,you can get the dupli color at Napa.

[beandip]

Barth , Freddie's has the paint.

[76Datsun280z]

Thanks guys!

The paint code on the can is called "DE 1615 Aluminum". I just got it at Schucks, so any auto parts store will have it. I'll put a few more coats on it and I'll put it on later this week and snap a couple pictures.

[Oiluj]

Very Nice!

I have a polished cover, (on the car), that came with mine, but I think I like the painted look better! Do you plan to clear coat it?

I also have an old oxidized one, (off the car), and may duplicate what you have done. "Imitation is the sicerest form of flattery".

[76Datsun280z]

Very Nice!

I have a polished cover, (on the car), that came with mine, but I think I like the painted look better! Do you plan to clear coat it?

I also have an old oxidized one, (off the car), and may duplicate what you have done. "Imitation is the sicerest form of flattery".

Thanks!

I was thinking today it would be fun to clear coat it, but I don't think I am.

I'm sure there are better ways of doing it, but that's just the process that I did and was glad with the way it turned out.

[LanceM]

Looks great Except! You'll want to strip the paint out of the oil cap threads otherwise you might find the cap sort of permanent once the oil and engine heat gets to it!

[ktm]

The cover looks nice, but I recommend that in the future you have the valve cover powder coated. Powder coating is MUCH more durable and scratch resistant.

[Zak's Z]

Yeah that looks very nice. Post some pics with it on if you change it out. I wonder if it looks as good put on as it does in the pics.

[76Datsun280z]

Thanks guys,

I got it on today and looks great.