Sexy Valve cover

So I had some spare time while waiting for my shim removal tool and I had the valve cover off anyways so i decided to add it to the pile of parts that im repainting. At first i was just going to redo the stock look (semi or low gloss black with polished fins) but at the last minute i decided to do something a little... different.




what do ya'll think? I havent clearcoated it yet. I used Rustoleum high heat engine paint. considering the rest of the engine will be black, and the tank and side plastics will be satin white i think it'll look flashy.

 

Looks good! I have always liked red on engines. I would paint the fins or the YICS or both satin white to make them stand out.

 

Thanks! I actually agree with you 100% on the white accents, however i cant seem to figure out a way to do that without mucking up the work i've already done. I was thinking of brushing it with the leftover satin white i have from the gas tank and side panels but its not high temp paint so i really dont know if it would hold up. So it seems im stuck for now... unless i can find a high temp enamel that doesnt come in a rattle can... hmmmm...

 

Two options:

1. Let cover dry for a week
Use blue painter's tape, 3" wide
Lay the tape over the cover
Use an X-acto knife to cut out the yics letters
Spray with high temp aerosol

OR

2. Let cover dry for a week
Use blue painter's tape, 3" wide
Lay the tape over the cover
Use an X-acto knife to cut out the yics letters
Buy white, brush on, brake caliper paint
Brush the caliper paint on the letters
Remove tape
Bake as directed by manufacturer

 

How about polished accents?





This pic is of the finished cover; it's been on the bike for over 8000 miles and a little over three years and is holding up fine. I used Duplicolor Engine enamel (500* stuff, not VHT) and there was no clearcoating. Gloss black between the accents; "low-gloss" black for the rest of the cover.

You'll probably find that clearcoating engine parts is as futile now as it was when Yamaha originally did it.

 

You can turn any spray paint into brush-on paint by spraying into a cup, let it sit a couple minutes to "thicken-up" as it's really runny at first.

You can custom-blend colors. Mix silver and black just right, touch over rusty hardware to match old galvanized hardware.
Mix gold, silver and clear to somewhat match cadmium.

 

nice cover fitz!

OP - I like the idea of white or silver - as is it just looks like you were trying to cover something up easily.

Good luck and post some after pics if you will!

 

OK, now you've painted that bit red what are you going to do with the rest of the engine?

Only polished alloy is going to go with that. I think you've just made some more work for yourself!

 

thanks for all the input everyone! I will be looking into all of the above options and will let you all know shortly what i come up with. ooh and on a side note, Fitz you are the man! your valve shim guide is currently saving my mechanically retarded butt and you can add me to the list of lives youve saved with your brake delamination warning. keep up the excellent work man. we're lucky to have you

 

Some additional possibilities :wink:



FlyGp