Shiny lakes headers: Chrome vs. Coatings?

[buzzard]

I'm thinking about getting new headers. Right now I have the speedway lakes headers that are painted white. They are pretty old and need some attention. I've been putting some chrome engine parts together and am thinking bright shiny headers would be purty.

So heres the questions. What is "Ceramic Silver" that Sanderson uses and AHC that Speedway uses? Are they like a shiny powder coating? Will they look good longer than chrome? Does it look the same as chrome?

Who is running chrome/ coated headers? How do the hold up? Who else makes some to consider?

Thanks for input.

[zman]

It's not quite chrome.. there are some pretty decent pics at
http://www.classiccoatings.com/ceramicsearch.htm
and
http://www.jet-hot.com/

and a decent article on the tech
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/80038/

all in all it'll make them last and perform better. Make sure they do it inside and out or the headers will rust from the inside faster than normal...

[baytowngreaser]

The ceramic silver doesn't have the shine chrome does but if done right it does have a nice finish to it.

Got a friend of mine that had some parts off of his '32 powdercoated with the stuff and he hasn't had any problems with it. It does seem to last alot longer than chrome.

[speedaddict]

Buzzard, my intake manifold has that ceramic silver coating, I like it. It has more of a polished look than chrome look.

[HotRod31]

I have mine Jet Hot coated, they have a shiny silver color to 'em. I would say it is better than chrome from a durability standpoint and a perfomance one. J.H. charged me $300 to do mine (no shipping only about an hour drive from the house) I don't think Speedway's are coated on the inside, I had a pair of their's for 3 yrs held up pretty good.

Later, Mark

[Roothawg]

The "ceramic" coating is actually partially aluminum. It will lose it's luster over time and you will hafta polish it. I used it on the headers on the Fly. I can see if I can find a pic for ya if ya want.

[smittyshotrods]

buzzard I have the Armor Hot Coat on my headers inside and out and after eight or ten years now they still look good. This coating can be polished too. They are not real shiny like chrome but do have a polished look to them.

[BLAKE]

For what it's worth, I think the polished coating would look better than chrome... more bizness-like.

Sounds like the coupe gonna be lookin' good when your done... you drivin' it yet? How's the 2x4 setup workin?

[A-Bomb]

The aluminum/ceramic coating looks really nice when new. However, it will dull a little where the headers get the hottest. You can see this in the picture where the center two tubes blow against the tapered tube. The car had about 500 miles on it then. They have dulled just a little more with 1500 miles. They will not polish completely back to like new condition. By the way, right now this motor is burning a little rich( less heat than a lean motor). These headers were coated inside and out. I definitly think this is better then chrome though, less chance of rust. I never have seen a chrome set that didnt turn blue at the hot spots. the brand name of this coating was "cermachrome". hope this helps. Dale http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/pastimegarage/daletraviscoupe005.jpg

[BoomBoom]

Hey Buzzard, I just got a set of "Limefire" headers from Sandersons for my 23T. Couldnt afford chrome or the coating just yet so I opted for the high temp paint til I can get them coated. Painted them with VHT aluminum heat paint and they look pretty good for now. Hope you can make it to Pistons & Paint next weekend!

[Tman]

OK, I sell LOTS of coated headers. Both Sandersons and Parrs house-brand headers that are coated in OKC. The only thing I have seen that kills the coatings is a LEAN condition, in the short term. They will all dull a bit in the hot spots in the long term.

[67Imp.Wagon]

Hey Buzzard, whatcha gonna do with those old headers?

[buzzard]

Old headers will have the leaks welded up and probably go on Krupa's roadster. If he passes, do you want 'em?

I think I may go with the Speedway ceramic coated. As many of ya'll know, the coupe ain't a show car. It gets washed about once a year, right before the Roundup. I do like the shiny parts though. It seems like the coated pipes will perform best, and that is my semi main interest. It's a fine line. I won't it to look close to 1962, but blow Krupa's doors off!!!

[av8]

Very tidy motor, A-Bomb!. Shiny is an especially nice theme for a hot rod.

[67Imp.Wagon]

You and Krupa keep me informed on the headers.

[Flat Ernie]

I have been told, but have not verified or tried for myself, that you can get away with regular powder coating if they use the high-heat powder. Supposedly, it only comes in a couple colors like black, silver, & white. If true, it should be a lot cheaper than ceramic, Jet Hot, or any of the others...

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