since i cant do anything with the car until the new manifold gets here, i decided to turn my POS looking valve cover into something nicer looking.
1) stripped the old paint off using NAPA paint stripped in a spray can.
2)scrubbed it down with an SOS pad, thoroughly dried after.
3)taped off plug holes and fill hole.
4)laid 3 coats of reddish colored duplicolor engine enamel.
5)put 3 coats of duplicolor engine clearcoat.
6)let dry, removed tape
7)used razor blade to get most paint off honda lettering.
8)300 grit sand paper of lettering to give a shiny appearance.
from....
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zt1IrYTCrOo/TI1OdJM3R2I/AAAAAAAABDM/fbm_3vYz7G0/s800/2010-09-12%2013.13.02.jpg
to....
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zt1IrYTCrOo/TI1OdRddGvI/AAAAAAAABDQ/E1aY4guQ_Yw/s800/2010-09-12%2017.26.36.jpg
turned out well, other than the odd color, IMHO