I want to dress up the engine a little bit before spring comes and i was thinking about maybe blue coloring. I just dont know what to dress up and i want to paint the DOHC valve cover blue but i dont know what to do. I also wanted to polish my header because they're black and i could tell that they were silver under the black paint because they are knock offs :shrug: heres a pic... is it possible?



Any suggestions would be nice, i dont want to make it tooo ricey tho
Thanks :)

Oh my eclipse is black on the outside.

I coated my pacesetter header with ceramic spray. It helps insulate a little bit and it looks cool. just make sure you spray it on while the parts are hot so it doesn't bubble and chip. There is also the Copper-A-gasket thingy that people say looks gun metal after the parts get real hot.

Header wrap looks more aggressive, lasts longer, and will keep temps a little cooler.

Hmm what do you mean "aggressive"? Because he wants to dress UP his engine, and I disagree with you if you are saying wrap looks "good" under the hood. I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

The header i havent installed yet so theyre not on the car. The stuff youre talking about 'ceramic spray' where do i get this? and do you have any pics of yours?

Mine are already black so is this just like spray paint that goes over it? wouldnt it chip and look shitty?

Also, what about the valve cover...if i were to take it off and paint it is there anything i should do before i paint it or can i just paint it like anything else?

Sorry im asking lots of questions but thanks for any replys. :)

Originally posted by 99blackclipse
The header i havent installed yet so theyre not on the car. The stuff youre talking about 'ceramic spray' where do i get this? and do you have any pics of yours? Mine are already black so is this just like spray paint that goes over it? wouldnt it chip and look shitty? Also, what about the valve cover...if i were to take it off and paint it is there anything i should do before i paint it or can i just paint it like anything else? Sorry im asking lots of questions but thanks for any replys. :)

I just bought high temp paint at the parts store in the color I liked, take off the cover and degrease the hell out of it, rinse repeat, etc. use some paint thinner or something similar that dries without residue and really scrub it clean, once it dries paint away, make sure to tape off the gasket surfaces tho, give it overnight to dry and reinstall, you'll probably need new gaskets, mine always stretch every time that I take my VC off and put sealant where needed after cleaning mating surfaces yada yada yada. it'll smell like crap and look like your engine is smoking for the first few trips but it'll cook the paint on really good and the smell usually goes away after a few days. i'll try to get some pics of mine. supposedly you can use automotive paint on the vc gasket if you prime with the ceramic, I haven't tried that, correct me if I'm wrong guys

Originally posted by edxmon
and I disagree with you if you are saying wrap looks "good" under the hood. I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

I agree also, plus I've heard some bad stories about heat wrap bonding to the headers after a while and becoming a sticky, melted mess.

The ceramic coating spray cans you can get at any decent autoparts store, kragen, autozone, napa, etc. I got my header used from ebay, and this is what I did: Cleaned it, remove any oil and rust on it then sand it with medium grit sand paper. You might need higher grit since I would recomend you remove the black paint before spraying them with ceramic. Install them and let the car warm up to operating temp. THEN spray them while ON the car. This way the paint wont bubble. You could also spray them lightly while off the car, and brush or sand of the chips once it bubbles. The ceramic coating is silver btw. As for the valve cover, do a quick search on it, there are many threads and maybe even some walkthroughs. Ill get pics of it tonight, and have them on here tomorrow.

for headers I've heard you can pre cook them to prevent bubbling throw them in the oven at 300* after spraying for 30 min

the exhaust gases going through the HEADER "cooks" it without risking your moms/wifes stove :)

Here you go bro. Sorry everything is so dirty, but school/work has been eating all my car time lately :7

Originally posted by edxmon
the exhaust gases going through the HEADER "cooks" it without risking your moms/wifes stove :)

they do make these amazing things called cookie sheets and aluminum foil, no mess! :+

the other stuff he mentione was copper gasket-maker. spray that on and when it heats up itll look gunmetal. looks decent and from what i hear is extremely long lasting.

be like me,
get it professionally ceramic coated. You won't regret it.
Man I can't wait to clean under the hood of my car.

^that looks good. A nice powdercoated valve cover will really make it nice to look at. And some tire shine on all the rubber.


As for the ceramic paint I used it on my downpipe but didn't know about it having to be heated before spraying it on. It's bubbling up and peeling :(

even mine bubbled a bit. Just lightly sand off all the cracking pieces until u get a smooth surface (dont sand it so much you loose everthing) then turn on the car, and spray it some more. Rinse and repeat to your desire :thumbsup

Originally posted by Malenko
be like me

No.

Originally posted by edxmon
I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

Which might be why some of us think the show car thing is a retarded waste of time. Form follows function. If the funtion of the car is to *actually* perform, then performance mods serve a purpose, but if you're just making a car that looks pretty, then you might as well just leave it stock and make it look pretty. Turbos and intercoolers are not for looks. They are to make power.

I believe Eigle's car is a dual function car - he buids it for speed, races it, and keeps it looking nice so he can show it off. Nothing wrong with having show AND go. So the wrap looks good because TRUE PERFORMANCE ALWAYS LOOKS GOOD. :thumbsup

Now, I've done a few things to dress up my engine bay because I felt that's where the real beauty of the care resides.

Back in the day... Copper Spray-A-Gasket on Pacesetter c.2003. (Only hosted pic I still have up.)


1200* hi-temp silver rattle can from Autozone on the same header after a rebuild a year later. c.03.2004.


Same header a year later (c.03.2005) on another rebuild. Sanded and wiped down with a couple fresh coats of more "Bling-In-A-Can." The high lustre doesn't last, but it will look really good for a long time. Just keep brake-kleen away from it and you'll be fine. The rest of the engine bay is flat rustoleum black.


And, for the OP, valve cover had over a dozen layers of novice red paint on it. (I screwed up my first time and just kept going over it. It was actually wrinkled like an elephant.) Home Depot sells "JASCO" paint stripper. Get a couple cheap brushes and some heavy rubber gloves, and watch the old paint just wipe right off. This is Duplicolor Wheel Paint from Autozone. Like a gunmetal/charcoal color. Block and head were prepped and painted with the 1200* silver.

You are absolutely right driggs, but when he said "dress up" I assumed he was focusing on looks. Also ceramic coating insulated a tad. Beautiful engine bay by the way.

Damn B, that engine bay looks really nice. That's just some flat black Rusty, huh? Does it hold up well? I'm always afraid of the paint I'm using not being heat/chemical resistant enough.

i would have to agree with going pro or powdercoating. this is what i started off with.




it looked kind of crappy. i found a guy on a local forum where i am from and i had my valve cover and exhuast manifold powdercoated black.


the manifold didn't want to accept the powder very well but my valve cover did.

then to go with the whole header wrap thing, it is a big pain in the ass if you are not carefull putting your header back on. i screwed mine up when i installed it. who knew taking the fans off would help out a lot? not me. anyway here is a header wrap look on mine soon to be removed for powdercaoting.

^powdercoating looks sweet I did the same thing, here's the final product:




Although I think Driggs' valve cover looks awesome. Whatever you do do it right whether you paint it yourself or get it professionally powdercoated and you won't be disappointed in the end.

Good points above! Click on this link and look at the bottom row of pics for my engine bay. Theres no turbo in it but its argueably the cleanest 2gnt bay around ;)
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290700887
BEHOLD!!

cant wait to powdercoat my valve cover, and prolly even the Tstat housing and more. Dunno what color yet though, black, blue (match couplings and turbo) or purple (match car and GReddy BOV)



EDIT: New pic is because I actually cleaned up under my hood, like I said I would last post :p

Originally posted by jdpilot
Good points above! Click on this link and look at the bottom row of pics for my engine bay. Theres no turbo in it but its argueably the cleanest 2gnt bay around ;) http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290700887 BEHOLD!!

It looks pretty clean, but Driggs has a nice one also.

I never thought Ide say this, but THAT might be a little too much red! And I though >I< was obsessed!

I can powdercoat..I just did my valve cover in candy apple red and my tstat housing, computer bracket, radiator brackets, and cruise control box in chrome I'll post pics later..me and a friend at work did it

um...how do I post pics?

Just get the picture hosted at imageshack.us and posr the direct link that ends in the picture file extension ( .jpeg, .gif, etc)

^that valve cover looks nice but I'm personally a fan of having the letters the bare metal, makes it pop out more

Originally posted by Malenko
cant wait to powdercoat my valve cover, and prolly even the Tstat housing and more. Dunno what color yet though, black, blue (match couplings and turbo) or purple (match car and GReddy BOV) EDIT: New pic is because I actually cleaned up under my hood, like I said I would last post :p

Whatever color you choose, you'll be happy with it. It looks amazing afterwards. Even my father who has thought everything I've done to my eclipse has been a waste saw the valve cover when it was done and was amazed, he said it was well worth the money.

yeah I agree about the letters...this was pretty much just a test run(first time powdercoating) and I plan on redoing it and polishing the letters

If I sent you mine would you do it?! Jk, Ill give it a shot myself first, and if it ends up sucking, Ill outsource it :7

Originally posted by DR1665

Originally posted by edxmon I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

Which might be why some of us think the show car thing is a retarded waste of time. Form follows function. If the funtion of the car is to *actually* perform, then performance mods serve a purpose, but if you're just making a car that looks pretty, then you might as well just leave it stock and make it look pretty. Turbos and intercoolers are not for looks. They are to make power. I believe Eigle's car is a dual function car - he buids it for speed, races it, and keeps it looking nice so he can show it off. Nothing wrong with having show AND go. So the wrap looks good because TRUE PERFORMANCE ALWAYS LOOKS GOOD. :thumbsup Now, I've done a few things to dress up my engine bay because I felt that's where the real beauty of the care resides. Back in the day... Copper Spray-A-Gasket on Pacesetter c.2003. (Only hosted pic I still have up.) 1200* hi-temp silver rattle can from Autozone on the same header after a rebuild a year later. c.03.2004. Same header a year later (c.03.2005) on another rebuild. Sanded and wiped down with a couple fresh coats of more "Bling-In-A-Can." The high lustre doesn't last, but it will look really good for a long time. Just keep brake-kleen away from it and you'll be fine. The rest of the engine bay is flat rustoleum black. And, for the OP, valve cover had over a dozen layers of novice red paint on it. (I screwed up my first time and just kept going over it. It was actually wrinkled like an elephant.) Home Depot sells "JASCO" paint stripper. Get a couple cheap brushes and some heavy rubber gloves, and watch the old paint just wipe right off. This is Duplicolor Wheel Paint from Autozone. Like a gunmetal/charcoal color. Block and head were prepped and painted with the 1200* silver.

Your engine work is awesome.
Can I pay you to do the same job on my engine.

I've checked out http://az2gnt.net/ it very well put together get job.

Have you been to UTI school or checked it out. Thinking about applying there, sometime..

is that polished valve cover powder coated?

you talk about mine?

Originally posted by edxmon
Hmm what do you mean "aggressive"? Because he wants to dress UP his engine, and I disagree with you if you are saying wrap looks "good" under the hood. I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

I totally understnad different stokes for different folks. I had my downpipe professionally done with a ceramic coating and the first time a little oil burned on it the whole thing looked stained.

Tunerzine liked the look well enough to publish it:



It is more popular with show motorcycles than cars because bikes have a lot more bling and they need something to add an edge.



My engine without the tape looks like it is too much bling as well so the tape does add the race edge. If you are only going to do your intake manifold, valve cover and exhaust then you may want try to add some bling to your exhaust.

Be forewarned that engine coolant and other fluids will eat at high temp paint even if it is applied correctly.

But see that is some WELL applied exhaust wrap, and in a matching tone. When people just put the off-yellowwhite looking one, it looks like centuries old mummy wrap on their header.Plus you already have enough bling to take the eye away from the very few spots you got wrap on. Beautiful chopper and 2gnt engine bay BTW!

Originally posted by edxmon
But see that is some WELL applied exhaust wrap, and in a matching tone. When people just put the off-yellowwhite looking one, it looks like centuries old mummy wrap on their header.Plus you already have enough bling to take the eye away from the very few spots you got wrap on. Beautiful chopper and 2gnt engine bay BTW!

Thanks. The 2GNT is mine but the chopper isn't.

They now have header wrap paint in different colors. I leave mine natural because I change it out all the time. Of course I tear down my engine more than most.

Last night's pic:

DOOD! that is an awesome looking (and I am sure performing aswell) engine! Hopefully one day I can do something like that. The pics I posted of my engine bring me to shame... Ill go cry in the pits for now :P

Originally posted by edxmon
DOOD! that is an awesome looking (and I am sure performing aswell) engine! Hopefully one day I can do something like that. The pics I posted of my engine bring me to shame... Ill go cry in the pits for now :P

Thanks for the props.

It has all the parts but I have yet to get them to work in harmony.

Hopefully when I get my megasquirt going it will perform better.

Originally posted by mreigle

Originally posted by edxmon Hmm what do you mean "aggressive"? Because he wants to dress UP his engine, and I disagree with you if you are saying wrap looks "good" under the hood. I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

I totally understnad different stokes for different folks. I had my downpipe professionally done with a ceramic coating and the first time a little oil burned on it the whole thing looked stained. Tunerzine liked the look well enough to publish it: It is more popular with show motorcycles than cars because bikes have a lot more bling and they need something to add an edge. My engine without the tape looks like it is too much bling as well so the tape does add the race edge. If you are only going to do your intake manifold, valve cover and exhaust then you may want try to add some bling to your exhaust. Be forewarned that engine coolant and other fluids will eat at high temp paint even if it is applied correctly.

what in the world kinda ps res cap nice bay

hayame

Originally posted by edxmon
I disagree with you if you are saying wrap looks "good" under the hood. I agree its more functional but you certainly wont see it on show cars... or so I think :7

I would give a thumbs up for "functionality" even on a Show car. They aren't glamorous but a Good job can look fine 'and' be functional.
Do what you like and you cant go wrong.

my 2cents

QUOTE:"All that stuff isn't going to make it run any better."
~My dad a couple years before my car imploded

Thanks for all the replys guys..you really helped out alot. :)

How costly does it get to get a part on ur car professionally polished and is there a process you can do yourself to get the same results?

absolutely you can do it yourself...use the search engine and you'll find out how...also I didnt polish mine its powdercoated... and i can powdercoat one for you for $60.

Sent you a message regaurding the power coating and thanks I look around for those how-to instructions