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.