masking valve cover

[joho260]

I want to paint my 260Z valve cover in black wrinkle paint. What is the best way to mask the letters and the ribs? Do you recommend using some kind of tape or do you prefer to use a greasy coating like petroleum jelly which will keep the paint from adhering. I am not a real good artist and at my age, my hands don't always follow directions as well as they should.

Joe
74 260Z

[Z train]

Scotch tape and trim with an Exacto knife.

[DeesZ]

I've done a dozen of them in the last several years (see the pictures in my gallery for samples). I find it easiest to just rub a light coat of wax on the high ribs and letters, then paint the whole thing. Then I come back with sandpaper and a narrow block of wood to sand off the paint and at the same time bring the high metal surfaces to a nice bright shine. You can develop any shine on it up to a very polished look depending on where you stop with grades of sandpaper. Generally I then spray the whole cover with a topcoat of high temp clear (gloss or matte - I prefer matte).
Here's a few samples & lots more pix in the gallery.

[Ed]

I want to paint my 260Z valve cover in black wrinkle paint. What is the best way to mask the letters and the ribs? Do you recommend using some kind of tape or do you prefer to use a greasy coating like petroleum jelly which will keep the paint from adhering. I am not a real good artist and at my age, my hands don't always follow directions as well as they should.

Joe
74 260Z

You should try masking carefully but I think it would be a lot of work. Personally I would paint the whole thing then after it was dry take some 220 grit wet sand paper and carefully start removing the paint in the areas you want the metal to show through. After 95% is gone switch to a 320 grit, once all the metal is showing switch to a 400 grit then finish off with a 600. If you use a sanding block then the surface will stay even. Then take a little bit of metal polish to protect the bare metal.