OK, I'm wanting to take off my plenum and Powder Coat it. How long does it need to be off the car to dry? And can you clear powder coat. Because it just comes with a base and top coat. Also do I sand or can I use like some Filler Primer? And no I'm not talking about the black piece that says ECOTEC. The silver piece it's on, is what I'm talking about. Thanx in advance.
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
The cam cover you mean? Powdercoating is pretty strong and durable and won't need a clear coat. Are you planning on doing it yourself, because that's the way it seems?
Yes, I plan on doing it myself. Can I use Filler primer or do I have to sand? And how long does it have to be off the car to dry?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
So your going to paint it then right? Because powder coating is sprayed on and baked on and needs no priming because it would just blast the primer off.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Sorry. It's Anodize Paint. What do I do and the other questions.
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
friendly bump
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
Well it should give you the directions on the cans. IF I remember corectly thats a 3 step process and it should have its own primer, metalic bace, colored clear coat to give it the tint color. Not sure if you need to clear over it or not. I'd say just go to Pep Boys or where ever and read the cans and see what they say to do as thats your best bet.
Just take your time and it should turn out great!
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
anodizing is not like spraying on paint
Alright, cause it only came with a base coat and top coat.
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
its just regular painting then. is it atleast hi-temp paint?
Are you talking about the anodized look paint that is sold by Plasti Coat? If so its a 3 step I'm almost sure! The look is created because the color is actualy transparent and when used with the metal flake silver as the base coat it gives it the anodized look.
Its the same basic concept as with candy apple red or any candy colors for that matter.
I used to do this on model cars growing up and it turns out great. If we're talking about hte same thing it shows it being used on engine parts so I'd say it should be durable enough to handle a little heat.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
What if I put some Hi Temp clear over it just to be cautious?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
Well it wouldn't do anything seeing how the heat will be comeing in from under the paint thu the valve cover itself. Regular paint will work just fine the valve cover doesn't get hot enough to burn paint off you'll be fine.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
How come it's hot enough to burn my hand but not paint? And how long do I have to have it off the car? Because it's the only car I have. And do I have to sand?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
the same reason why a black car is hot in the summer when you touch it but the paint doesnt come off the car. paint can withstand alot more heat then a human can. if you want to paint it, your gonna have to prep it and clean it completely of any grease or film then paint and let dry. id let it dry for 24hrs
Because paint doesn't start to burn till you get heat like from an exhaust manifold. A valve cover will get hot enough to burn your hand but not the paint. You shouldn't need to san anything at all. Try this remove it wipe off any oil or loose dirt with a wet rag, then use a product called "TOTAL PREP" (its sold where you buy the spary paint) its also a spray and it cleans the surface and preps it for paint and body work. It will clean any crud that the wet rag didn't. Dry it off with clean paper towels and let it sit in the sun for about an hour just to be sure its totaly dry. Then hit the valve cover with a primer and let it sit out in the sun for a bit till its dry. Then just follow the directions on the cans as to how your supposed to do the painting. Make sure you keep the can about a foot away and always level with the surface your painting, apply thin even coats and just take your time and it'll look great.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Can I get Total Prep at Advance Auto? And will it make it all smooth? Also how do I get it off? I tried once and the Fuel Pressure Regulator hose was in my way and I couldn't unloosen it.
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
Yes Total Prep is sold at Advance auto it should be just past the small touch up bottles of paint where the paint remover is located. Its in a large spray can that is blue with Total Prep writen in yellow.
As for removeing the valve cover, first start by removeing the coil pack( which is the black piece in the middle) its held on by 4 bolts (can't remember the size sorry) and one wire harness to the right side of it. Disconect the harness and gently but firmly pull up on the coil pack (NOTE: you will feel some resistence and its cause of the spark plug boots, don't worry this is normal) Once its off you can now get to all the valve cover bolts
and theres a bunch of em! Now on the right hand side of the valve cover you should see 2 studs with brackets on them. If memory serves the front one should be the bracket that holds the acelerator cable and the if equiped the cruise cable, The rear one should hold the fuel line. Remove the nuts and VERY GENTLY move the fuel line so its off the stud, it will move don't worry. The other one remove the nut and move the bracket. Now you can remove the valve cover with no problem. Remove all the valve cover bolts. Once you get them off gently insert a flat screw drive in the crack between the valve cover and the head. NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT !!!!! Before you twist or pry with the screw driver make 110% sure ALL THE BOLTS ARE OUT !!!! if not twisting the screw driver or prying on it could damage or break the valve cover. Triple check if need be but just be damn sure! Once you get it poped loose just lift it off and clean it up and paint it. To install just do the reverse.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Will I need a new Valve seal? And do I leave it on, while I'm painting it?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
you dont need one but id but a new one on anyway. anytime i take something off that has a gasket to it, i always replace the gasket and never reuse it
How much is that going to run?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
Nope no new valve cover gasket needed its the round bead of rubber type and is reuseable. I'd take it off the to paint myself so yeah I'd recomend it. When you take the valve cover off the gasket will be in a small groove in the cover, gently pull it out of the groove and set it to the side. Now when your done painting and its about time to put it together I'd put a small very small amount of BLACK RTV gasket sealer in the groove and then place the gasket back into it. Wipe off any excess and let it sit for about 15 min to a half hour. This will make the gasket stick to the valve cover so the instalation will go easier. You will notice 4 smaller o-ring looking gaskets around each of the skark plug holes they should have stayed stuck to the head but if for some reason yours came off with the valve cover just do the same for them. If they did stay stuck to the head then leave them there. Place the valve cover back on sitting it straight down as to make sure you don't mess up the spark plug tube seals. Once on place all the bolts back into the holes and start them all by hand. I say by hand because the head is aluminum and you don't want to crose thread any of the bolt holes (You can use a socket and extension but just tighten them down like you were useing a screw driver) Once they are all in start in the center and snug the bolt down then go in an alternating pattern of your choosing snuging them down. Once you snug them go back and do the same or similer patteren to tighten them all ( NOTE: you don't need to crank the bolts like crazy just nice firm preasure to tighten them is all you need.) Once its on then push the bracket back on and tighten the nut, then the fuel line ( Did I mention to be easy with the fuel line ? )
After that drop the coil pack back in tighten up the bolts useing a criss cross patteren and then plug the conector back in. Taa Daa !!! marvel at how pretty it looks! Now you'll probl want to paint the coil pack cause its all ugly. Easy you already know what to do! But make sure you tape off the silver heat sink part to the right side of it as it needs air to keep it cool. You may also want to tape off the ECOTEC sticker in the center. Once the paint drys to the touch you can remove the tape and reinstale it.
Anything else?
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Thanx. Will that Total Prep make it all smooth?
2004 Ecotec Cavalier 9.9 in the 1/8th mile. 15.7 in the 1/4 mile.
no it will clean the surface of any oil or grease. (ie oil from your hands)
^ ^ ^ What he said. It should be smooth already. Are you talking about the grooves in it or what?
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
