Cosmoline, the yellow stuff on your engine

[Springfield1952]

that's pretty badass. what kind of paint is that orange? some sort of heat withstanding...

There's no need for any special paint on the valve cover since it doesn't get that hot. Any good enamel such as Krylon or Rustoleum will work fine. Some have powder coated engine parts which is the most durable but also the most costly.

Curt.

[Jeff N.]

I got the cosmoline off my aluminum parts with hardware store paint stripper and a scour pad.