let it dry (2 coats).....does the stock one have any chips or anything?

 

u can paint over your stock valve cover wrinkle finish if u like...just make sure its grease, oil etc free...thats why its recommended to start from the bare aluminum so u know its all fresh and clean and the paints will stick propah!

 

thats where tsp comes in handy

 

my stock valve cover has NO CHIPS or anything... does this mean if i use TSP to clean it then i can just paint over it and have the same effects as the wrinkle paint ?? another question though... my friend painted over his valve cover and the surface of the paint is smooth not ruff like stock... if i clean my valve cover with tsp and then paint it with my choice of paint in thin thin layers will it come out ruff and wrinkly like stock ??

 

hey what if i took my valve cover off and cleaned it with tsp and then gave it to my paintshop to spray it in the booth.... could i get him to use the same paint he used on my car and if i get him to clear coat it as well is this ok ?? and the paint on my car has white ice in it... is it ok to put white ice on valve cover too or will the heat cook it all up..... anyways say i just got him to spray it with the paint and clear coat it and then i took sand paper and block sanded the letters like the DOHC and stuff do you think it would look good ?? or do you think i should just get him to paint it and NOT use any clear coat...

 

its not gonna look stock but it will look pretty nice

 

YGPM

 

You can have the shop paint it and it'll look nice but it's hard to say if the paint will take the heat. But if you want to save a few bucks and don't need it to match your car exactly.... just do as you said ...clean it with tsp and spray it yourself.... it'll work just fine... then sand the paint off the lettering when your done.

The guys that have the smooth valve covers usually use paint stripper to remove the rough finish before painting.