Rocker Cover

[greek_rambos2k]

Hey guys my rocker cover is very dirty and some of the paint has chipped off. Was wondering if you know a place i could take it that will take it out clean and respray it and put it all back together with nice shinny paint :D in Melbourne. id look but i have no idea who to take it to. a mechanic? panel beater? i dont trust myself doing it....lol thanks

[Jordang]

Have a crack at it yourself mate ;)

[greek_rambos2k]

haha ill stuff it up and i dont know how to re seal it.

[Jordang]

Surely there is a worklog or how to on painting your rocker cover on here. It's pretty easy man. I am sure you'll be able to do it :)

[AusS2000]

Buy a spare. I think our beloved leader has one.

Get it sandblasted and powdercoated, 4 new spark plug donuts and a gasket and hey presto, better than new valve cover.

http://s2000.byteserve.com.au/turbo/frontqtr.jpg

Or hey, throw some bucks at me and I'll do the running around.

[garett]

its easy dude.

the honda paint is a wrinkle red though, not gloss.
Autobarn sell it in cans from UHT, works pretty well.
apply it thick without runs and then warm temp will make it go wrinkly when it drys.

[greek_rambos2k]

Here is my rocker cover with its chipping of the paint

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206568_148682275199280_100001725254299_287701_7730 779_n.jpg

[AusS2000]

Yep, that's chipped.

Good thing about powder coating is it's much tougher than paint.

[ludecrs]

Just buy a spare one. They sell for about $120-$200.
Take it in to get powdercoated - about $50.
Install yourself in about 15 minutes by swapping them over :).
4 bolts on the spark plug cover
5? bolts on the valve cover.
Unplug 2 sensors at the rear (big black knobby things).
Try removing with your hands, by wobbling it around until it begins to lift up. If it wont lift, give it a slight tap with a rubber mallet in the corners. Then just slide it up and over. Removing it from the front first is easiest.
Repeat in reverse order with new valve cover. Valve cover seal is reusable really. Just remove it from one and slide it through the slot in the new one.

[AusS2000]

Gotta sandblast before powder coating and as previously mentioned, you'll need to replace the donuts.

[ludecrs]

Most powdercoat places do that but :p

[AusS2000]

Hmm, not mine.

[AusS2000]

Or to be more precise, mine will do it, but of course he farms it out and marks it up.

[ludecrs]

Come to tink of it, I used paint stripper on my spare valve cover and it removed all the paint in about 30 minutes.

[greek_rambos2k]

uhhh isnt it just easier to take mine off and do all that? just put some plastic over the engine while its off?

[AusS2000]

Why would you put plastic over the engine? It's not like you're gunna drive it is it?

Just close the bonnet.

[greek_rambos2k]

oh i was just gunna do it as an added thing to keep dust out. lots of construction on my street = lots of dust zooming around and im not blessed with a garage.

[ludecrs]

Well in that case where you're not hard up in need of a car, I suggest taking it off Saturday morning at like 9am, paint stripping it at 10am or prior. Cleaning it up, then wrinkle coating it at midday, and re-install the next day (just to be sure its dry).

[garett]

the UHT wrinkle red is quite close to honda red too.

bit different to apply than normal paint. ie. you dont want to do thin dusted coats, but a heavy even coat.
with temp it drys and wrinkles. id even gently use a hair dryer on low blow to make it wrinkle nicely.

have done a few.

[AusS2000]

As my car is not really standard OEM I figured what the hell and went for flag red. I actually find the stock red a bit musty after it's been under the bonnet for a while.

[greek_rambos2k]

you guys think the f20c would look good in any other color?

[AusS2000]

J's and Spoon do blue and yellow.

[ludecrs]

The blue is shit. I owned a genuine J's cover years ago. The quality was so bad I sold it the next day.
The teal colour was shit too.

[greek_rambos2k]

iv seen a few pics with chrome rocker cover. thoughts?

[AusS2000]

Yup, thoroughly tasteless. Who would ever think a shiny rocker cover would look good. ;)

[ludecrs]

Don't make me negative rep you :p

[ludecrs]

Don't make me negative rep you :p

[greek_rambos2k]

haha nah im not going to. just gunna stick to red :D

[vyets]

I sprayed mine wrinkle black it looks like this.

http://www.gotuning.com/images/products/ASM_Toda_Engine_J_01.thumb_big

[VeYzZii]

I sprayed mine wrinkle black it looks like this.

http://www.gotuning.com/images/products/ASM_Toda_Engine_J_01.thumb_big

Fcuk yea

[AusS2000]

I do have to agree with VeYzZii's rather enthusiastic response. Looks great.

[greek_rambos2k]

hmmm black is very nice

[greek_rambos2k]

any clue on what a rocker cover seal will cost?

[vtecing]

pretty sure the main seal will be about $30 and the 4 spark plug seals should be $10 ea. would also recomend using the ruber sealant in a tube for the corners.

[AusS2000]

As has been mentioned, you may not need to replace the main seal. And if you do I think Ludecrs has one for sale.

[ludecrs]

^ I gave mine away.