Valve Covers

Follow instructions in your Haynes Manual as to the removal of the Valve Covers. If you haven't replaced your valve cover gaskets in a while I suggest doing that while you are down there. You will find the Driver's Side Valve Cover particularly annoying. I chose Daytona Yellow for my engine paint scheme. I like red and yellow together...very classic combination.

Once you have them off, either sand or sandblast lightly. Then use paint stripper to take off the bulk of the paint. Remove the gaskets before using paint stripper. It can do nasty things to plastic. Instead of using paint stripper, you could continue sanding until you have a good painting surface.

Once you have the paint off, give a light coat of high heat primer to the valve cover. Let the coat dry and if necessary, give another light coat. Then get some high heat ceramic paint and go to it. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS given on the can of paint. The paint I used had very specific directions on how to use it. It said to let the paint cure for 5 days OR bake the parts in an oven. I chose to let them cure. This was 500 degree paint. With 1000 degree paint, you HAVE TO cure it in an oven. It won't cure on its own. If you do not let the paint dry for 5 days, even something light barely leaning on the paint can "dent" the paint's surface. With the paint I used, you had to apply recoats within an hours. If you wait a day or so after and recoat, the new paint will dissolve the old paint and leave it looking like the skin on your elbow. :)

After you let it all cure put it back on and put all the other crap back on, too. Be patient when working with paint...it'll be to your benefit in the long run. Don't try to cut corners on good preparation and proper use of the paints.