Paint or powder coating (unless you can match body paint exactly) will be garish.

I bought an early value cover that had been powder coated silver a few years ago. I think it looks pretty good. I guess it is all personal taste. I don't really care for the look of polished aluminum valve covers.

-Mike

I bought an early value cover that had been powder coated silver a few years ago. I think it looks pretty good. I guess it is all personal taste. I don't really care for the look of polished aluminum valve covers.

-Mike

I like the way that looksmin your picture. if i blast it and clearcoat, will it look like chrome? Not reallyinterested in the chrome look.. And I dont suppose i can powder coat it myself, can I?

On the other side of the spectrum heres mine, i used VHT wrinkle paint on it.

here it is painted, half finished

Finished

If you want the original look I would have it soda blasted, (gives a natural smooth finish without the polished look), and maintenance is as simple as going over it with a coat of wax now and again. On my 70 I had it soda blasted and then used wrinkle black between the two top ridges and then cleaned the lettering off to highlight the Nissan 2400. That was also a good look. jlp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Z-OEM-240Z-280Z-280ZX-Polished-Valve-Cover-70-83-/160578908409?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25633fb0f9

I don't believe you could take the time to polish your cover for what these can be bought for. :cool:jlp

Really just comes down to what you like - when doing a valve cover. The older I get the less I want to "customize" my Z. With that said (insert foot in mouth) I had my valve cover polished at a local shop - $75.00. It is not "show quality" but the guy did a really good job - especially if you saw it before he did his magic. Go with what you like but remember sticking closer to stock will fetch you more money IF you ever decide to sale your Z (forbid that would happen)