I want to paint the spark plug cover on my engine (commonly misreferred to as the valve cover). You know, the part that says NISSAN 3000 V6, all that good stuff on it. Anyways, I have a few simple questions regarding painting it:

-I should be sanding it before painting it right? What kind of sandpaper should I use? (like what grit)
-What kind of paint should I be using? Just high-temp. engine paint?
-What can I do to prevent the NISSAN letters from being painted? (I want to leave them silver) I need some way of covering up just the letters, along with the row that says 3000 V6 24 Valve on it.

I plan on painting it a flat black color. I just need a way of leaving that strip towards the bottom the stock color and I want the NISSAN to remain unpainted so it's silver.

 

You dont need sandpaper, just use a scotchbrite pad and scuff it up. I used high heat engine paint to paint mine. To cover up the NISSAN, you can either cut out tape or you can dab on some vaseline and then wipe it off when the paint is dry. For the row with the V6, just tape that off completly. Make sure you take your time with the prep to make it look good

 

Thanks for the advice. I may try the vaseline idea tommorrow.

Oh, also, how many coats of this stuff need to go on?

 

Iput 3-4 coats on it.

 

post pics when done!

 

I'll be sure to do that. Why, are you considering the same color scheme or something?

One last question guys, is it just those three or four little screws that I need allen keys for to get the cover off? Or is there something else holding it down, too?

 

Just those four.

 

Just put the first coat of paint on...the vaseline (well I just used some generic petroleum jelly) seems to be working alright. Just need something to scrape it off after the paint dries that won't scratch the plastic.

We'll see how this turns out...

 

i just finished mine last night. the single pic of it drying is in this thread

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=411186

i simply washed it, dried it very well, over night if possible, taped off w/e i wanted, n let the paint rip. the coats depends on ur methong of spray. i did about 4-6 on mine and about 2-3 of clear on top. after it all cured i lightly wetsanded to make is smooth. the previous pic is not of it complete. ill get u guys one in the morning.

 

That looks pretty nice. What kind of paint did you use to get that metallic look? (the gray part)

 

I'm thinking of refinishing it. So would scotchbrite do the trick in taking off the old paint?

 

the final pic is in that same thread as the last link.

the paint i used was... duplicolor, truck van and suv. theres no color code on the can, so jus play it by eye.

 

I'm guessing it would, because I was using just brillo pads and it was leaving scratch marks on my unpainted cover without me even trying.

 

I'll try wetsanding it in an inconspicuous spot first instead of the scotchbrite.

 

You da man!!!

 

As requested here is a shot of the finished product. Bad picture but here it is anyway...



I personally think it turned out pretty well