I need to paint between the fins on my aluminum valve cover, air cleaners and side covers. I will be painting to match the engine. It's "the restoration shop" Firethorn red pearl. What is the best way to do this? Do I use engine primer or self etching primer. Please dumb down the answer I'm not a painter. Thank you for any advice.

The self etching primer should hold up just fine.

Thank you Larry.

still need to sand it some as for the primer to stick to the aluminum valve cover

Been a lot of years but I think I taped off the Offenhauser logo, painted the top, and then carefully used a laquer thinner rag to clean the tops of the fins.

I still have some sanding to do in the grooves on the valve covers side cover and breather caps and my 3 air cleaners.I want to get them fairly flat before I start laying primer in them and then sand smooth. I'm working 550 miles from home so I brought them with me so I don't go through withdrawals not being able to work on my truck. I have some red sandable self etching primer from Eastwood. They are going to be Global firethorn red pearl to match the block and truck body. Black pearl fenders.