painting the engine cover

[gcwimmer]

This may just be a really stupid question, but is there really any benefit to painting the cover? Is there really any benefit in having the engine cover at all??

I mean I'm the kind of guy that has no use for underhood 'flash'. If something has a real benefit, then I'm all for it.
But as far as I am aware, the engine cover was a cheap way for FMC to avoid having to do a lot of machining to "pretty" up the engine compartment.
So I look at it like this, Does it matter what the finish on the valve covers looks like if the car running down the road??

Maybe its just because I don't open my hood except when I need to maintain my vehicle.
To me the covers under there are just that much more crap that I have to remove to get in to do anything with the motor.

Am I the only one that feels this way???
You can keep the show, I just want the Go

No benefit to painting just personal preference just engine jewelry.

The cover is a heat shield, as others have commented, good to keep on.

 

[Osaín]

Thanks. Do you use a dressing as well? Or just the cleaner?

I dress with a pad afterwards on the plastic and rubber parts. DO NOT hose your engine down with dressing. That way it won't be sloppy.

 

[Garbone]

Anyone got any ideas on where to get high heat paint to match the car's color?
I havent looked anywhere yet, just wondering if anyone knows of the top of your head...

 

[daves2000ls]

I was wrong, it's currently on.