Technical Painting distributor

If I tape terminals can I paint the distributor cap to match the eng color.
Chevy orange.

 

I don't have any rule on that, its done on industrial engines when the equipment get painted, no tape for you...

 

That just sounds too lame for words.

 

Was that a yes ??

 

do what you want, just don't paint the contacts inside or outside.

 

That was a serious don't do it and make it look goofy. If it happened to come black, repaint it black but painting it to match the engine color just doesn't fly.

 

Thought about doing that myself !

 

Plug the terminals with old plug wires and paint the cap.
Let dry and remove the wires.

 

From me yes, especially if it will irritate some one!

 

I have no patience to sand and paint a distributor cap, don’t most of them come in about 10’colors anyways?

 

...just don't use a lead based paint ...or any metallics

 

I painted mine... I ripped off small pieces of paper towel and inserted in the top contact holes and also masked off the metal hold down clamp so I didn't blast off the plating. Blew off and replaced new paper towel in terminal holes and masked off the bottom and painted. It was originally a light blue.

 

I've painted the dizzy cap on my Hough 30 payloader . When it gets weathered . The local parts store has a tough time getting new ones

 

I've done it before..... but orange?????????

 

I just painted the ugly red cap on my MSD black. So far so good. I just wiped it down with oil and grease remover, masked the terminals and shot it with engine paint.
Here’s the before and after...... I know, I know, never mind all of the late model twinkely crap, I’ll be taking it back to the ’60s little by little as I drive it.




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That looks good! Title said Dizzy & the opening comment said cap, didn't notice....

 

SEGA requires red MSD caps get painted black. Go ahead and paint away.

 

Yes. I always paint mine to match. Tape it off good, dont get paint on interior or exterior terminals. It it with some adhesion promoter and go to town.

 

How much does a new cap cost? Is it really worth it to paint it?

 

Sometimes the " silliness" factor on forums amazes me !!

 

Terry, go ahead and paint it orange, it's your car. HRP

 

Do you really need to worry about getting paint on the terminals? Any ignition system worth it's weight in coulombs will shoot a spark right through the paint.

 

I hadn't thought of that, seems like you're right but in my case I always clean electrical connections thoroughly no matter what they are.
As far as a "silly thread"; I've seen some weird crap happening with distributor caps and rotors, from cracks to moisture, oil and carbon contamination and tracking, all making an engine run poorly. Some coatings may contain ingredients that are somewhat conductive and could lead to erratic ignition.
The OP asked a valid question, the only silly question is the one you're afraid to ask.

 

x2 - I have painted caps before - keep used rubber ear plugs and put them in plug holes - yes, you do want to cover contacts

 

I did it once when the only cap I had lying around was a standard ignition cap and it was blue. I put those rubber vacuum caps (I have tons of those things) in the terminal holes, removed the door (BBC) and shot it semi flat black. Looked good when it crossed the block.

 

Sorry , its just one of those " which end of the nail do I hit?" Things

 

Paint it any color you want an put on some giant Yellow spark plug wires too..

 

If that paint has lead or something that conducts electricity you'll have a miss..

 

How much does some spray paint cost? Is it really worth it to buy a new cap?

Some paint contains carbon black, which is conductive when exposed to high voltage.

 

Look at @bchctybob , the cap and leads have gone, just how it should be.