I have used paint stripper on a ton of valve covers and it works great as long as it make sure and get it all the way off. The new primer and paint will adhear better to it because it is bare metal. I would use acid etch or an epoxy primer because they will actually bite into the metal for better adhesion then the paint over it. Regular auto paint works great and looks great as well, and it will withstand the heat from the head and valvetrain. Some of you may be skeptical but it works awesome and will not flake off as long as its done right.

 

Where do you get epoxy primer? what is it called? Thanks

 

I would send the valve cover to a sand blaster. Probably best to just have it sand blasted and powder coated.

 

Make sure they tape off the bottom and any parts you don't want to be painted.

 

how did turned out?

 

that looks cool.... i did the same a few years back