Spray painting a valve cover with good results that last.

Painting the valve cover, proper prep work will ensure the paint sticks. It's an inexpensive way to spiff up your car.
UPDATE: 10,000 miles later this is holding up very well! 6/2015
Here I'm painting the valve cover for my Saturn s-series DOHC engine. First I used Rustoleum aircraft remover to chemically strip the remaining finish. A thorough washing then painted with 500 degree rustoleum engine primer and then rust-oleum orange engine paint. The raised lettering was done by hand with red high temp paint and a disposable foam brush.
I would suggest cleaning the bare metal with acetone prior to painting and using high temperature primer and paint on any part that is bolted to the engine.
If you have a plastic valve cover then you will likely have to make special considerations for the paint to adhere.
You can pickup most of these supplies at your typical auto parts store, hardware store, or home improvement store. Autozone, VIP, Oreileys, Napa, Carquest, Advance Auto, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
Engine paint, Honda, Saturn, Acura, Mazda, Ford, Chevy, GM, jeep, toyota