Domeflips' valve cover paint project.. (lots of pictures and lots of sanding)

[Domeflips]

I have decided to paint my valve cover.

Materials:


sandpaper- grits from 150 to 400
airplane paint remover
high temp paint
engine degreaser
toothbrush
wire brush
gloves
blue painter's tape



B16a
This is the way everything should be put back when I'm done.
http://i.imgur.com/CTzOn.jpg (http://imgur.com/CTzOn)
Once I removed the valve cover and placed all the hardware somewhere safe, I started with the degreaser. This kind smells really good.
http://i.imgur.com/cyeI8.jpg (http://imgur.com/cyeI8)
On to the airplane paint stripper. Don't inhale this or get it on your skin!
http://i.imgur.com/aZ7On.jpg (http://imgur.com/aZ7On)
After getting some of that airplane remover on my hands, I decided to wear these rockin' purple latex gloves! Eventually the stripper ate through those.
http://i.imgur.com/egbZV.jpg (http://imgur.com/egbZV)
Coming off pretty well. Going back and forth with between applying the stripper and using the wire brush and an old tshirt to spread the stuff around.
http://i.imgur.com/baoxs.jpg (http://imgur.com/baoxs)
This is after I was done using the airplane stripper, washed it with the hose, cleaned it with the degreaser, and dried it with a clean shirt. I started blocking off the holes with blue tape. Ill have to remove that tape and put it back on later, but having it on right now might be good so the shavings don't fall inside and the hardware fits exactly the same way once I put it back on. The technique
I'm using here is to angle the knife upside down and scrape to take off the tape. This wont work with the smaller, smoother holes, but it saves time with the others.
http://i.imgur.com/SBGGk.jpg (http://imgur.com/SBGGk)
After all the plugs have been cut.
http://i.imgur.com/MkwkL.jpg (http://imgur.com/MkwkL)
I got excited at this point and wanted to paint... but I can't just leave it like that...
http://i.imgur.com/Hz8Zl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Hz8Zl)
I started with 150 grit paper.
http://i.imgur.com/eMpEI.jpg (http://imgur.com/eMpEI)
http://i.imgur.com/3syXk.jpg (http://imgur.com/3syXk)
http://i.imgur.com/slOmE.jpg (http://imgur.com/slOmE)
http://i.imgur.com/SUw5N.jpg (http://imgur.com/SUw5N)
http://i.imgur.com/7Ts2G.jpg (http://imgur.com/7Ts2G)
More to come soon![/FONT][/SIZE]

[satalac]

No intro thread?

[nismojunkie]

Nice write up, now if everyone was as thorough as you are we would all be in good shape.

[Turbo vw]

No intro thread?


intro threds are so last week man

Nice write up, now if everyone was as thorough as you are we would all be in good shape.


im in a good shape nice and round :blink:

[nukefivesix]

we need more "how to do things properly" threads.. oh well

[Mitch Detailed]

too much effort, not enough reward.

[Mitch Detailed]

we need more "how to do things properly" threads.. oh well

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=28852

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16279&highlight=polishing

and then search Trushine, the holy grail of detailing shall be revealed..

[watts13]

^truff. and paint stripper doesnt hurt as bad once youve been using it for 5-6 years. one time at my old body shop they put it inside my gloves.. that made for a fun day after lunch.

[sir-t-inthemaking]

too much effort, not enough reward.

This. Half that tape and the sanding isn't even necessary and it could come out looking just as good as you doing all that work

[Domeflips]

No intro thread?

I'm not sure I know what that looks like, satalac..

intro threds are so last week man




im in a good shape nice and round :blink:

Funny.

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=28852

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16279&highlight=polishing

and then search Trushine, the holy grail of detailing shall be revealed..

That's my kind of detailing! Ill be following. That trushine service is nanner-zanza-tron.

This. Half that tape and the sanding isn't even necessary and it could come out looking just as good as you doing all that work

I'm at a standstill with my build because of no garage to work in. I also believe that the paint is in the prep. Of course, this is my first valve cover, and I do realize I probably could have had it sandblasted. I've got a lot of time on my hands lately.

Thanks for all the comments! Proud to be a Tennessean now!

[boostiswhatsfordinnerNWH]

I would've done the se process simply because I'm obsessive compulsive about my work.

[DumpedDuce]

This. Half that tape and the sanding isn't even necessary and it could come out looking just as good as you doing all that work

Looking just as good, sure. Lasting longer than this job, highly doubtful. I have been no different when it comes to painting anything, especially with rattle can.

DumpedDuce Approves This Message

[nukefivesix]

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=28852

http://www.tennspeed.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16279&highlight=polishing

and then search Trushine, the holy grail of detailing shall be revealed..

dude kicks ass, i already know

[M-Technic owner]

dont listen to the haters. keep doin what your doin man.
and do make an intro thread. but dont be retarded.. til you gain some recognition

[Mitch Detailed]

btw just throwing this out there for the 'Sweet' Factor, a 2l bottlecap upside down fits perfectly in the spark plug wells, making taping less of an issue.
btw:" is this done, (8 days later)

[Domeflips]

btw just throwing this out there for the 'Sweet' Factor, a 2l bottlecap upside down fits perfectly in the spark plug wells, making taping less of an issue.
btw:" is this done, (8 days later)

Thanks for the tip! Here are the updates:

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/1525/shack1.jpg
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/6968/shack2.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2008/shack3.jpg



Haven't worked on it for a while, but I'm hoping to get it finished this weekend. I'm almost done with the first application of 150 grit. I'm moving on to 250 next. WOOWOO!

Currently listening to:

http://soundcloud.com/dj-lean-rock

Question: Does anyone know how long I have until I have to pay for imageshack?

Sick:

http://dornob.com/tiny-triangular-japanese-house-narrowly-fits-its-little-plot/

[Domeflips]

Here's the progress. At first, I was going to make a plaid pattern, but I put so much effort into sanding this piece that I wanted to show it off. So I clear coated it.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1773/coverfinish1.jpg
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9990/coverfinish2.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6249/coverfinish3.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6789/coverfinish4.jpg
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5820/coverfinish5.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3448/coverfinish6.jpg
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6403/coverfinish7.jpg
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9661/coverfinish8.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4267/coverfinish10.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4267/coverfinish10.jpghttp://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1154/coverfinish13.jpg
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8477/coverfinish12.jpg

Next, I'm going to research how to get rid of the obvious un-level and rough application of the clear with some high grit sand paper, or whatever is recommended.

[cnpayne]

Shoulda painted it. Or took 1000 to 2000 grit and then polished it

Sent from my iPhone killer using tapatalk

[codytheoutlaw]

Looks like the stock finish on most aluminum valve covers.

[SonicBoom237]

Shoulda painted it. Or took 1000 to 2000 grit and then polished it

Sent from my iPhone killer using tapatalk

Yep....a dremel with a budding wheel would do wonders for this project

[Domeflips]

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas.

[LSean1]

You sanded it...with 400...and cleared it? :sad2:

[jacobcartmill]

^^^ what he said.

[Deano_d]

This thread still going on?

[97 DelSol SI]

Well so much for finishing a project thread

[DGRIFF24]

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