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View Full Version : DIY: JDM "style" valve cover



thaseint
04-19-2008, 04:26 AM
Figured I'd go ahead and post one of these back up. I'm sure I probably missed something, so if anyone notices something let me know and I will update.

Materials:

-Aircraft stripper
-VHT wrinkle red paint (SP204...this can be ordered at any O'Reilly's and its usually there next day)
-Masking tape
-Rubber gloves
-Newspaper
-Sanding block or file (with 600 grit to 1000 grit paper)
-6mm socket
-10mm socket

Valve cover removal: Remove dipstick. Remove the coilpack cover (4 6mm nuts). Remove the intake manifold cover, 2 10mm bolts (if applicable). Remove the breather hose from the valve cover. Now start removing the valve cover. Use a 10mm socket to remove the coilpacks, once these bolts are removed the coilpacks pull out and unclip the electrical connector.

Start removing the valve cover by removing the 6 6mm cap nuts. Try to do this while the engine is cold, these nuts are small and heat can cause the screws to turn or worse yet warp. Pull up on the cover, shaking while pulling seems to work best.

Once the cover is removed, inspect the rubber gasket and determine if it should be replaced. If it's in good shape pull it out and set it aside.

DO NOT use any sharp object to try and remove the cover, this could tear the gasket or you could end up scaring the head which could lead to an oil leak!

Here's a shot of the cover removed

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/EP3/5-1.jpg

Prep: Now with the cover removed, begin prepping the surface. Wash the cover in dish soap and water to remove any trace of oil. Cover up the plug holes with some masking tape (there are some rubber boots in these holes that could potentially be ruined during this step).

Begin spraying the cover down with aircraft stripper, after a couple minutes the old paint will start to bubble and you can scrape it off. Use some sandpaper to remove as much of the old paint as possible. It's not all that important that ALL of the old paint is gone; but more so that the new paint will have something to stick to.

WARNING: Wear gloves when working with aircraft stripper. This stuff burns like crazy if it gets on your skin!

Here's a shot of my prepped cover

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/EP3/3-1.jpg

Painting: Begin masking the valve cover. I ended up masking the oil fill hole, the spark plug holes and a portion of the breather tube connection. Plain masking tape will work in this case...nothing fancy. You can try masking the "Honda" logo; but its not necessary and you'll see why.

Once things are masked off, go ahead and start spraying. Here's some tips:

-Make sure the ambient temperature is at least 75ºF and low humidity.
-Spray at least 6" away and don't stay in one spot. Keep the can moving and make sure everything is even.
-Do a liberal spraying for the first pass.
-Every coat after the base coat should be light.
-Add a coat every 10 minutes
-I personally used a whole can; however you could really get away with about 3/4 a can.

After the you've finished with all the painting, let the cover dry for at least 24 hours, or if you can swing it 48 hours would be best.

Picture of my cover during paint dry.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/EP3/4-2.jpg

Post paint: Remove all of the masking tape. Now remember when I told you not to cover up the "Honda" logo? Here's why, bust out a sanding block with some 600 grit paper and simply file away the paint. Since the "Honda" logo is raised the sanding will only remove the paint on the logo. Just be careful that you don't accidentally slip while sanding. Follow-up with some 1000 grit paper to clear up some of the sanding marks.

Dried and ready to fit.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/EP3/6-1.jpg

Reinstall cover: Begin by lubricating the valve cover gasket with oil and reinstall into the cover. The shop manual says to use Hondabond on the rear passenger side corner; however I didn't do this and I have had no problems with oil leaks (do at your own risk).

Finished fitting.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/EP3/145.jpg

What to expect? Over the next couple days of driving you might notice a paint smell. This is just the paint curing and it will go away after about 2 days...just try and drive with the windows down and you'll be alright.

Pop the hood after at least 100 miles of driving and check for leaks.

Kodeen
04-19-2008, 05:30 AM
How long has it been since you first did this? I'm wondering how the paint is holding up.

thaseint
04-19-2008, 05:45 AM
How long has it been since you first did this? I'm wondering how the paint is holding up.

Let's see...I did this back on October of '06?

Everything still looks good with very little to no fading.

Here's a picture I took a couple months ago:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/thaseint/DSC09155.jpg

Paint is strong and at least once every other month I degrease my engine. The cover is very easy to clean and have had no issues with cracking or peeling. I'd say this was hands down one of my favorite mods, mainly because its cheap ($8 for a can of VHT) and it changes the look of the engine bay completely.

RAMSES EP3
04-19-2008, 09:12 PM
wow i have an old vavle cover sitting around im going to try this

blackbelt
04-19-2008, 09:24 PM
Looks really good. I think I will try this.

soccerallstar06
04-30-2008, 06:31 AM
that thing looks pretty sweet probably going to have to do this

oldschoolimport
04-30-2008, 12:48 PM
How long has it been since you first did this? I'm wondering how the paint is holding up.

mine was done in august 03, and is just a little dirty. otherwise, the paint is holding up perfectly.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8696/img5376gy1.jpg

EPandaman29
04-30-2008, 01:45 PM
very nice...wish i had the time to paint mine

PuMpKiN_Ep3
05-01-2008, 11:09 PM
looks real.....

waht if the rubber gasket needs to be replaced..?? what do we use..??

dc5 jet
05-01-2008, 11:14 PM
thats clean man. good job

oldschoolimport
05-01-2008, 11:36 PM
waht if the rubber gasket needs to be replaced..?? the valve cover gasket is pretty tough, and should be fine. if not, I'd go to the dealer for it. I'm picky when it comes to shit like that.

2-k-4blksi
05-02-2008, 11:09 AM
hmmm, looks like my real JDM one i have...i give ya a A+++ i might try this on my other car instead of buying new covers.

Marc-111
05-03-2008, 07:42 AM
looked real bro! nice DIY!

LAvtec818
05-03-2008, 10:41 AM
That's nice, how much to paint mine???

xjuxtapozx
05-08-2008, 10:30 AM
how did you get that sandy looking style compared to the smooth out valve we have?

rolldic
05-08-2008, 11:35 AM
how did you get that sandy looking style compared to the smooth out valve we have?

they make paints that will do that.

SSM
05-08-2008, 12:22 PM
oooh, my next project!

willy_akino
05-09-2008, 01:59 AM
sweet maybe i should try

Princess
05-09-2008, 02:30 AM
Wow, all that work to have a little red under the hood. You guys are dedicated. If I painted mine I think I would go NHBP.

xjuxtapozx
05-12-2008, 03:55 PM
ohhh thats some cool paint

Danman281
05-18-2008, 10:36 PM
nice!
I remember there were a few DIY of this before the crash of 08... some of them didn't require you to use paint stripper. Is that very necesary? I'm about to do mine soon... I just need to find a day where I don't drive my car

Strife
05-19-2008, 12:30 AM
Good job on the DIY and on your valve cover. Glad to see it's holding up after all this time. I wasn't going to do this myself until I saw that your results have held up for so long with little fading/peeling/cracking.

Whenever I get the time and money to do this I'll post some pictures as well.

L337Ep3
05-19-2008, 12:34 AM
I'm glad to see this DIY was saved. Very good write up and excellent little mod.

socmex7
05-19-2008, 12:38 AM
damn, this is yet another mod that i want to do, but i'm apprehensive on doing it cuz i don't wanna screw sumthing up.. this and the blackout headlights... maybe one day i'll grow a pair and do it... haha

Kleinengines
05-19-2008, 07:13 AM
The paint looks great.

Danman281
05-21-2008, 03:08 PM
heres mine so far
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/muchbetterlookingcoat.jpg

thaseint
05-21-2008, 03:42 PM
That's going to come out good...good move painting outside on the grass too. I painted mine in my garage where my car was parked. I spent the next day going over my car with clay bar to remove all the overspray. :mconfused:

Danman281
05-21-2008, 03:55 PM
That's going to come out good...good move painting outside on the grass too. I painted mine in my garage where my car was parked. I spent the next day going over my car with clay bar to remove all the overspray. :mconfused:

haha that sucks. But at least you didn't have a problem with bugs thinking your valve cover is a bright red flower and getting stuck on there!!!

how long did ya'll guys wait untill putting it back on? It might rain tommorow... 40% chance

thaseint
05-21-2008, 06:37 PM
haha that sucks. But at least you didn't have a problem with bugs thinking your valve cover is a bright red flower and getting stuck on there!!!

how long did ya'll guys wait untill putting it back on? It might rain tommorow... 40% chance

I'd let it sit for a minimum of 24 hours...if you can do it 48 hours would be optimal. I ended up putting mine on after about 12 hours and the paint was still a little pliable in some places. Fortunately I didn't slip otherwise I could have messed up the paint.

After you put it on and drive around for a bit...get ready to get high as a kite! Seriously though, try to roll with your windows down for the first couple of days... :mredface:

Danman281
05-22-2008, 09:49 AM
I'd let it sit for a minimum of 24 hours...if you can do it 48 hours would be optimal. I ended up putting mine on after about 12 hours and the paint was still a little pliable in some places. Fortunately I didn't slip otherwise I could have messed up the paint.

After you put it on and drive around for a bit...get ready to get high as a kite! Seriously though, try to roll with your windows down for the first couple of days... :mredface:

I accidentally left the valve cover drying inside my house next to my AC. My whole house smelt like valve cover after that

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/whoaitsred.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/againitsred.jpg

When I installed it though, I accidently smudged it with some gasket sealer or black smudge... anyone know how to safetly get it off without messing with the paint?

thaseint
05-22-2008, 10:36 AM
About the only thing I could think of would be to wait till the paint dries and then try brushing it off with some simple green.

If that doesn't work you can maybe by some high temp VHT paint and apply it with a small foam brush (or q-tip). Probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference in color so long as you stick with something close to the VHT wrinkle red color.

Danman281
05-22-2008, 11:04 AM
About the only thing I could think of would be to wait till the paint dries and then try brushing it off with some simple green.

If that doesn't work you can maybe by some high temp VHT paint and apply it with a small foam brush (or q-tip). Probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference in color so long as you stick with something close to the VHT wrinkle red color.

ahh a little too late. I tried using my finger nails and I took some of the paint off :doh: The paint came off easily too. You think I installed it too early? I let it dry for about 24 hours, then I installed it. Drove it 15 miles to school, while still hot, I tried removing the smudge and bam

thaseint
05-23-2008, 06:24 AM
ahh a little too late. I tried using my finger nails and I took some of the paint off :doh: The paint came off easily too. You think I installed it too early? I let it dry for about 24 hours, then I installed it. Drove it 15 miles to school, while still hot, I tried removing the smudge and bam

You may have installed it too early. Paint drying depends on a few factors: number of coats, temperature and humidity. 24 hours should have been more than enough time for the paint to at least be 'set'; but it takes much longer for the paint to cure, so an accident could damage the paint during this curing time.

After the engine cycles from hot to cold a few times the paint will eventually get hard as a rock.

Do you have any pictures of the damage?

Danman281
05-23-2008, 09:41 AM
You may have installed it too early. Paint drying depends on a few factors: number of coats, temperature and humidity. 24 hours should have been more than enough time for the paint to at least be 'set'; but it takes much longer for the paint to cure, so an accident could damage the paint during this curing time.

After the engine cycles from hot to cold a few times the paint will eventually get hard as a rock.

Do you have any pictures of the damage?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/damagedpaintvc.jpg

thaseint
05-23-2008, 11:04 AM
That's not bad at all...I'd just touch up with some high temp paint...won't be able to tell the difference.

Looks like your cover came out a little better than mine. Mine has a little too much wrinkle when you get up close. How much paint did you end up using?

Congrats. :thumb:

KeNnYtAkEr
05-23-2008, 11:55 AM
Damn looks easy enough, gonna have to try this.

Nice write up.

Danman281
05-23-2008, 03:36 PM
That's not bad at all...I'd just touch up with some high temp paint...won't be able to tell the difference.

Looks like your cover came out a little better than mine. Mine has a little too much wrinkle when you get up close. How much paint did you end up using?

Congrats. :thumb:

thanks everyone

I used about 4-5 coats of paint. The way I probably got less wrinkle was because I didn't put it in the oven, and I only used a heat gun for about half an hour. Other than that, I'm glad the way it turned out.

I have a small oil leak on the driver side. Gonna go tighten it up after I get her back from the dealership.

oldschoolimport
05-23-2008, 04:03 PM
I have a small oil leak on the driver side. Gonna go tighten it up after I get her back from the dealership.

be sure not to over-torque the nut. those studs are small, and are known to snap.

Danman281
05-23-2008, 04:33 PM
be sure not to over-torque the nut. those studs are small, and are known to snap.

funny you say that... I broke one of them installing ground wires. I replaced it as I was doing this DIY. Those new ones are made out of this titanium alloy compared to brass. I guess this happens a lot lol

Btw, if I'm leaking oil, I just tighten the nuts more right? Or should I take out the gasket and apply sealant. Because from my first broken strut experience... I did not tighten these as tight as I normally would

oldschoolimport
05-23-2008, 04:34 PM
you normally don't use sealant except in the corners. I use a 1/4" drive to tighten them, so I can't exert THAT much pressure. if you do use sealant, don't use much.

ton
05-24-2008, 12:52 AM
nice write up! im going to take a stab at it soon

ALL MotoR Ep3
05-24-2008, 05:51 AM
here is mine

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r299/weezynlali06/valve.jpg

DARKsiDE
05-24-2008, 01:09 PM
here are some that I did...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/sapinoso483/CIMG0272.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/sapinoso483/CL9/CIMG3443.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/sapinoso483/CL9/0006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/sapinoso483/CL9/0002.jpg

Danman281
05-24-2008, 08:52 PM
gj darkside


here is mine

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r299/weezynlali06/valve.jpg

looks good. what did you use for the spark plug covers?

ALL MotoR Ep3
05-24-2008, 09:00 PM
gj darkside



looks good. what did you use for the spark plug covers?

Some silver spray paint I had in the house......

meklz
05-25-2008, 09:31 AM
Thanks for this DIY!

Danman281
05-25-2008, 11:17 AM
Some silver spray paint I had in the house

you use primer? or any adhesion spray?

Da90Ls
05-29-2008, 05:50 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/againitsred.jpg

Is there anyway to get a darker red like the i-VTEC red. All the pics look a little pinkish or faded. Also where all can you get VHT wrinkle red? All the parts stores near me have wrinkle black only.

Danman281
06-02-2008, 08:42 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/danman281/againitsred.jpg

Is there anyway to get a darker red like the i-VTEC red. All the pics look a little pinkish or faded. Also where all can you get VHT wrinkle red? All the parts stores near me have wrinkle black only.

I had trouble getting wrinkle red too so I ordered it online and took it in the ass for shipping.

Its probably the picture, it actually looks a lot better in person and doesn't look as pink to me.

Da90Ls
06-03-2008, 03:45 AM
I just went ahead and did it in black. Looks better for my car b/c I have the black/grey intake manifold cover not the silver/red. Imma go with a black and silver look.

oldschoolimport
06-03-2008, 05:47 AM
if you take the part number to oreilly auto parts, they can get in on the next nightly warehouse truck, usually by the next morning.

Da90Ls
06-03-2008, 10:16 AM
there is no Oreileys or however its spelled near me

vUpac
08-18-2008, 12:00 AM
CLEAN. nice write up!

maconperformanc
08-20-2008, 09:48 PM
My next mod....

krod
04-02-2011, 07:11 AM
In the write up ot says to tape the plug holes up to make sure you dont ruin the boots,he is talking about when you spray the aircraft remover correct? I pulled mine to do this mod this morning and washed it the dried it off then taped up the plug holes is this correct? just dont want to ruin the boots,thanks guys

cvicep3
05-23-2011, 08:59 PM
Just got the paint, will do this on the weekend. Where did you get the silver/red 2.0L manifold cover?


mine was done in august 03, and is just a little dirty. otherwise, the paint is holding up perfectly.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8696/img5376gy1.jpg

mitchlikesbikes
05-23-2011, 09:04 PM
Just got the paint, will do this on the weekend. Where did you get the silver/red 2.0L manifold cover?

it comes on the rsx type s (k20a2) or any type r engine (i think)

JaydmEp3
05-29-2011, 12:17 AM
after it's all said and done to bolt the valve cover back up is ther any special way to do it clockwise, counterclockwise or nah?? jus bolt it up. dnt wanna mess anything up. ordered a new rubber gasket from Honda jus in case I need it. ; ) will start on te projekt as soon as paint arrives.

doubledouble
05-29-2011, 01:35 AM
Nice write up. Def going to do this. Since being 3 years old most of OPs pictures are broken. Anyone willing to take pictures along the way for this DIY?

:heart:

TIA

mitchlikesbikes
05-29-2011, 09:55 AM
after it's all said and done to bolt the valve cover back up is ther any special way to do it clockwise, counterclockwise or nah?? jus bolt it up. dnt wanna mess anything up. ordered a new rubber gasket from Honda jus in case I need it. ; ) will start on te projekt as soon as paint arrives.

just try to tighten them evenly in a cross pattern. and make sure you don't go hulkmania on it or you'll snap the studs

JaydmEp3
05-29-2011, 11:42 PM
4sur man thanks appreciate it

sippyyy
09-25-2011, 09:52 AM
here's mine I just did this weekend

http://i53.tinypic.com/f5aaq.jpg

SammerS2K
11-18-2011, 08:23 AM
Smooth red looks really good too. Nice job.

mitchlikesbikes
11-18-2011, 05:28 PM
i used vht wrinkle black and did mine(basically the same thing as the red). i put on 3 pretty decent coats and then baked it. i think i could have gotten slightly better results by going a little thicker on the coats but whatever. here's a pic

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z377/mitchlikesbikes/downsized_1117112115.jpg

queso
07-04-2012, 11:17 AM
bump for this
might come in handy someday soon!!! :)

eddiebear
12-11-2012, 04:40 PM
Hey guys,
Sooo I just did this over the weekend. I just put the valve cover back on my car and I turned on the car to check if everything is fine. When I turned the car on white smoke started coming out from the back left side of the engine. I'm not sure what it is. Any help?

ep3hatchvcp
12-11-2012, 09:56 PM
Nice write up only thing i would of added is what you did to prep and get the valve cover so clean with? But i got my valve cover ready to do a bronco theme on it will post pics when finished if it comes out how i want it to. Blue and orange baby

ep3hatchvcp
12-11-2012, 09:57 PM
Oil burtning but give it a day and hopefully it goes away
Hey guys,
Sooo I just did this over the weekend. I just put the valve cover back on my car and I turned on the car to check if everything is fine. When I turned the car on white smoke started coming out from the back left side of the engine. I'm not sure what it is. Any help?

eddiebear
12-14-2012, 12:03 AM
i replaced the gasket and now i have no leaks. wooo and it looks lovely.