Engine paint for valve covers?

[IdahoDoug]

So, I'm doing some detail painting on valve covers in black and red with a tiny brush. Does anyone with paint knowledge have a recommendation for a paint line available in small bottles that will hold up in an engine bay?

Thanks!
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[DanHoug]

i've had good luck with simple Rustoleum satin black on my valve covers. if they have shiny bare spots, prime with bare metal primer. rusty spots, prime with rusty metal primer.

found out the hard way that rusty metal primer does NOT work on bare metal!!! it needs rust!!

i know there's engine enamels that are supposedly better but gosh, the Rustoleum works and you can buy whatever size you like.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Timwhy]

Not sure about the little bottles but spray paint works fine. You have to be really careful of the bails or they will pull the paint off.

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[DanHoug]

oh, wait. you're talking those roller bottles for lines... nevermind!
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[IdahoDoug]

Oh wow. So yes, was doing detailing on valve covers on my other project. I ended up getting a tip to use a syringe to fill the lettering and stripes instead of using the brushes. I cannot believe how well that worked out.

I may or may not have stripped them with Aircraft Stripper and that stuff is amazing. Then 9 coats of primer, correct silver, then clear. Then the lettering. I wish I could put non Vanagon pictures here. It may be the most beautiful thing I've painted in my life. They look like they just came out of the factory in 1987. Marvelous.

So you fill a syringe with paint, then simply fill the recessed lettering and grooves where the factory paint was. Perfect edges. Incredible.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[4Gears4Tires]

Why don't you post up a picture of this potential engine swap for your Vanagon
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[djkeev]

Gasoline takes off most paints.

On VW's with the injectors above the valve covers, gasoline damage is very likely.

A two part epoxy based paint is your best option.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[DanHoug]

[IdahoDoug]

So it had about 10% of its paint missing, and about 30% of the letters were damaged in some way with missing sections. I used Aircraft Stripper (which ironically states clearly on its label "Do not use on aircraft.") to bare aluminum.

This is exactly what these looked like from the factory and I think they're one of the best looking factory valve covers in the business outside of some Italian steeds.... I'm posting it in case anyone would consider swapping this great engine into their Vanagon. I could measure the length to help you with packaging:

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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[DanHoug]

gorgeous. perfect. i think that engine or the GM 3800 would be perfect in a Vanagon.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[erste]

those valve covers turned out perfect. Nice work IdahoDoug. Great tip on the syringe.

[4Gears4Tires]

That's beautiful work. It's gonna look great in a Vanagon some day.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[IdahoDoug]

200 pony power stock. I ported and polished the head so I my have a few extras. Oh man - I refinished the block, stripped the head to clean aluminum and repainted the oil pan. It would look amazing in a Vanagon. I'll have to post a picture of it later this week when I get the head on. Work of art.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader