Painted Engine Cover
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Rochester, NY
Painted Engine Cover Alright, I was bored this weekend. I noticed that the silver lettering on the engine cover was beginning to wear off and decided to paint it.
I am be NO MEANS skilled at painting.
I started by taking off the insulation and washing the cover with degreaser.
Then I sprayed it with paint adhesion spray (clear primer)
I then sprayed it entirely with black.
After that I taped off the "Intake Manifold Shape" and sprayed the fuel rail portions silver.
I used a black touch up brush for the lettering then clear coated the entire thing.
I am anxious to see how long it lasts in the engine compartment but for $15 and 2 hours of my time, I don't think it turned out too bad.
I am be NO MEANS skilled at painting.
I started by taking off the insulation and washing the cover with degreaser.
Then I sprayed it with paint adhesion spray (clear primer)
I then sprayed it entirely with black.
After that I taped off the "Intake Manifold Shape" and sprayed the fuel rail portions silver.
I used a black touch up brush for the lettering then clear coated the entire thing.
I am anxious to see how long it lasts in the engine compartment but for $15 and 2 hours of my time, I don't think it turned out too bad.
Last edited by texasGXP08; Feb 17, 2009 at 11:54 PM.
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From: Atlanta Georgia USA
DAMN!!! Not only does it looks good, The more wierd part about this is that I was thinking to do the same damn thing this weekend!!!!!! I was in Autozone Sunday staring at all the paint as I purchased a gas lock for my Monte!!! This color would go perfect with my car because its black with galaxy silver ground effects!!! Good Job!! I think you are my answer!! LOL!!
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2009
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Looks great, plus a nice custom touch for little time and money! was planning on doing the same thing with mine here this spring, except I was going to paint the lettering red to match the brake calipers and the STB's that I am planning to also install.
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From: Rochester, NY
Yeah I looked into those too. I'm sure they could work but they would require modification. The LS4 intake manifold is quite different in terms of actual top shape than a LS1, 2, 6. The fuel line layout is different and so is the mounting system.
At the end of the day it was easier to paint the existing cover than to cut up a corvette one. Plus the corvette ones would leave our ugly intake manifold exposed and the tall mounting posts for the original engine cover.
At the end of the day it was easier to paint the existing cover than to cut up a corvette one. Plus the corvette ones would leave our ugly intake manifold exposed and the tall mounting posts for the original engine cover.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 177
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From: Brownsburg, IN
That's awesome man, I was going to paint my whole cover red and have black lettering but now I might make the intake part black like you did instead, still with red on the sides though 
Great idea, never thought about two-toning it.
Great idea, never thought about two-toning it. 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Zeeland, MI
You might want to get those two black hoses out from under the engine cover. Stock from the factory they aren't under there, and I think there was a thread on here awhile ago about how it can trap heat and hurt the hoses.
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From: Rochester, NY
**** thanks
Last edited by texasGXP08; Feb 17, 2009 at 04:14 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Rochester, NY
For Paint I used Dupli-Color Universal Black, Radiant Silver, and Clear Top Coat.
I checked on the cover today and there are no signs of bubbling or peeling yet.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Brownsburg, IN
What do you meant by a traditional primer? I think I'm going to pick the paint up today and do this mod over the weekend. I'm going to paint the sides red though It'll match my custom powdercoated fenderwell intake Again, you're the man!!! I was just going to do it all red, but I think this will look much much better with a black center. 
It'll match my custom powdercoated fenderwell intake Again, you're the man!!! I was just going to do it all red, but I think this will look much much better with a black center. 
