valve cover painting
 

has any one ever pulled the valve covers off and painted them? i did this process on my honda 4-banger and it really spruced the engine bay up! it made it look nicer. so i was wondering if any one had ever done it to a lt1? mainly how easy it was... what needed to be replaced? what is the tourqe settings for the bolts stuff like that... if any ones got info or has done it suggestions are highly accepted!

I did this not to long ago for a LTCC conversion. I just took the valve covers off, sripped them with a wire wheel, then sanded them with a 80 grit disc, cleaned then off with some brake cleaner. I used the high temp paint they sell at autozone, used a primer, color, and clear and they turned out great. I've used this paint before with just a color coat and it looked ok, but using the primer, color, clear it turned out great. I did two coats of primer, four coats of color, and then four coats of clear. I have some pics here: https://camaroforums.com/forum/showt...highlight=LTCC

As far as the bolts go, just tighten then, it won't really matter as they only go in so far, so you really can't over tighten them. Get some new gaskets for when you put them back on.

I did it the exact same way GA did. Mine turned out great :D

those look nice!! i know it was verry easy on my honda but i stripped a bolt on accident so i didnt know if there was a tourqe setting on these valve covers...
would aircraft remover do the same as your wire wheel? or would it ruin them cause that stuff tears it up! and fast! and i might add that it gives a strong burnning sensation when you get it on your skin!

Like MMK would probably work great, only problem is the finned top would be a pain to get it all out of. Would probably have to do a little hard work with them, but that would work. I used the wire wheel because it was fairly quick, got everything with it and it put a nice surface on the metal for the paint, just hand sanded the shiney areas a bit and it was ready to go. I wouldn't worry about the bolts either, I've had mine off and on a few times and just tightened them until they felt tight, haven't had any problems with them backing off or leaking.

alright they look fairly easy cause this is what i was workin with when i did my honda and it was dificult to get into the ridges but i will try that and hope they dont back out...

Attachment 36592

You can alwasy put a little locktite on them.

i swnad blasted mine then then sand with 180 and primer and then 2 coats of chevy orange the two coats of clear and ive had no problems just tighten the bolts tell they feel tight that will work