Painting the Valve Cover - BMW Forum

detour54 · 12-10-2003, 03:18 AM

As you can see from the picture below, I have a little more cleaning to do to it before I start. I'm thinking about taking a 1/4 sheet electric sander and danding down the horizontal lines along with the BMW insignia.

Note: Do not Sandblast/Beadblast your cover. If any grit gets in under the tin splash shield, chances are you will not be able to wash it out thoroughly. However, the nice hot oil circulating through your engine certainly will dislodge the remnants and circulate them through your engine leading to premature failure.

As far as the paint goes, I'm thinking about using the Harley Davidson Black Crinkle Paint. I've seen examples of valve covers that used this paint on ebay and I thought they turned out great. IMO, I think it looks much better than the glossy black.

Before I apply the paint. I am going to give it a good cleaning with some simple green. After that I will start to apply the paint. I'm not to sure how many coats I will apply, anywhere from 4-7. After I'm done painting, I'll put the valve cover into an oven for a little bit (@ whatever temp. & however long the directions on the car say). After I remove it from the oven, I will wet sand the raised areas. That should give it a nice clean polish.

I'd like to hear from you if you have any helpful advice about painting valve covers.

Fox · 12-10-2003, 11:02 AM

this is engine enamel brand Flat black.... I bet i paid less and looks just as good

ehh that last picture was big

Fox · 12-10-2003, 11:10 AM

detour54 · 12-10-2003, 12:28 PM

Looks good.

How did you get the paint off of the raised areas?

Fox · 12-10-2003, 12:37 PM

Hand dremel tool using various bits at different times to take off the first layer then polish

lilboi · 12-10-2003, 12:42 PM

can't you basically swipe a peice of sand paper over that and it will take away the paint on top? since its raised just sand it off.

Fox · 12-10-2003, 12:46 PM

yea but that will only show the brown metal beneath it

You have to scrape away the top layer of metal to have it shine and after your done you have to spray on a engine enamel clear coat so the exposed metal doesnt corrode since its aluminum.

detour54 · 12-10-2003, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lilboi@Dec 10 2003, 03:22 PM
can't you basically swipe a peice of sand paper over that and it will take away the paint on top? since its raised just sand it off.

That's what I was thinking.

Supposedly, it doesn't turn out as nice when you use sand paper on it (this is what I've heard). On the other hand, if you use a dremel or mill bastard file on it, it will look really good.

pogiboy9 · 12-10-2003, 08:10 PM

hehe im working on the intake mainfold and did the Valve Cover already ill put a pix later , but i used sand paper about 40 grit and 80 and 150 to finish, used a dremel tool for the ridges, and i got a chrome finish, but on my intake manifold i'm using an air compressor powered steel brush

ill post those pixs too ..

Bob Loblaw · 12-10-2003, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by detour54+Dec 10 2003, 02:27 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (detour54 @ Dec 10 2003, 02:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-lilboi@Dec 10 2003, 03:22 PM
can't you basically swipe a peice of sand paper over that and it will take away the paint on top? since its raised just sand it off.

That's what I was thinking.

Supposedly, it doesn't turn out as nice when you use sand paper on it (this is what I've heard). On the other hand, if you use a dremel or mill bastard file on it, it will look really good. [/b][/quote]
That's right. When I did mine for my previous 325is, I started off with sand paper and ended up scratching a bit of the paint off of the valve cover, close to the raised section. I then switched to a Dremel and it turned out nice.

Euro_325 · 12-11-2003, 10:48 AM

this is how my valve cover came out, used sandpaper to shine up the raised surfaces.

pogiboy9 · 12-18-2003, 04:23 PM

ill post mine later, but i didn't paint my valve cover just polish the intake and the cover

detour54 · 12-19-2003, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pogiboy9@Dec 18 2003, 07:03 PM
ill post mine later, but i didn't paint my valve cover just polish the intake and the cover

Still, the polishing should look pretty good.

e30 dude · 12-31-2003, 06:10 AM

detour54,
we have the exact same valve cover. i don't see much of this type of cover around. what year model is your e30? would you mind posting a pic of the engine? i'm hoping it's the exact same engine as mine. i'm having a hard time looking for references on my m20 L-jetronic.

detour54 · 01-01-2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30 dude@Dec 31 2003, 08:50 AM
detour54,
we have the exact same valve cover. i don't see much of this type of cover around. what year model is your e30? would you mind posting a pic of the engine? i'm hoping it's the exact same engine as mine. i'm having a hard time looking for references on my m20 L-jetronic.

My E30 is an '86 325es. And no, I won't mind posting a picture of the engine. I will do so later on when I can find a pic of it on this computer.