Whats the best way to paint CAM covers?

[The ModFather]

I've rattlecan painted them black twice now. Very happy with how they turned out each time but within a few months I always get chips in the paint. Whats the best way to paint these and have it last longer? Dye? Otherwise I'll have to drop some coin on aftermarket cam covers.

[rsoffar]

just take em off!
but if you must have em on the dye method seems the best choice to me, pretty cheap and should last longer than paint no?

sure you have already seen this since I found it posted in a topic you started haha but here it is again just to make life easy...
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=43500.0

[rule62]

Scuff them up with some sand paper. Clean them off. Let them dry. Then spray them with some rattle-can truck bed liner. Put on a few thin coats. That stuff is cheap and it doesn't crack. It holds up to heat, and its texture looks really good. I've had mine painted wioth rattle-can bed liner for 7 years now and only had to touch them up once, and that was due to a fall.

[rsoffar]

Scuff them up with some sand paper. Clean them off. Let them dry. Then spray them with some rattle-can truck bed liner. Put on a few thin coats. That stuff is cheap and it doesn't crack. It holds up to heat, and its texture looks really good. I've had mine painted wioth rattle-can bed liner for 7 years now and only had to touch them up once, and that was due to a fall.

got and pics? im curious as to what itll look like with the bed liner texture to it

[rule62]

I've never been any good at uploading pics here. The rattle-can stuff is only a few bucks at Walmart. Try it out on a piece of cardboard to see the texture. It's really good. Not chunky or anything. Lots of people have used it. It really holds up well. And it's super cheap and easy to apply.

[roadkillrob]

Dyed mine, way better than painting!

[Raux]

If you have the new plastic covers, use plastic specific paint. then lots of clear coat.

[BlackKat]

Am I the only one that is asking why all the advice is about belt covers, not Cam covers?

Cam covers aren't plastic...

Bead blast your Cam covers..Grab a set of new O-rings...respray them with high temp paint in your choice of color. let them dry over night. After you re install them (also put a bead of RTV around all the holes per Ducati's updated suggestion for leaking Cam covers) heat cycle the engine a few times to cure the paint.

Done it a few times now on various bikes with no chipping or fading.

If you want black, I like the PJ1 Satin Black Engine Case Paint. It covers imperfections in the castings nicely. Any dealership with an account with Tucker Rockey or Parts Unlimited can get it for you.

[Raux]

Sorry i meant valve covers are plastic. cam are Al

[The ModFather]

I guess I should've been more specific. I was asking about CAM Belt Covers.   

[Raux]

I've seen people dye them or paint them with plastic paint.

[The ModFather]

I did use plastic specific spray paint and it came out great but I think the mistake I've made is in not using clear coat. Dying sounds interesting but involved.

[stopintime]

Surrender and buy a new set?  I think the price for a pair is ~ $40