Technical Header paint- Recommendations? Rattle can, brush on?

Need to paint my headers. I know a bunch of guys have used VHT for years. After reading the directions, they recommend a primer coat and then three heat cure cycles. This is not possible with these headers since they are made from '36 Ford driveshafts.

Are there other products others have used that have worked well and is long lasting?

Thanks,

Tim

 

Usaed Jegs Blue Header paint on my 400 Pontiac.

 

Have them powder coated, I did the exhaust manifolds on the Ranch Wagon in black and really didn't expect them to hold up but they still look good after7 years. HRP

 

If you don't mind me asking, what did they charge to do that? I haven't had anything powder coated before.

 

It's been a while but I'm sure it was less than 100 bucks. HRP

 

What is best for you, might depend on the look you are after. If you want the traditional look, where the paint flakes off after a while, etc, then VHT is for you. I like it, myself. Most guys want a modern, durable, good looking finish, however. They just don't get the whole "traditional" thing?

btw if you don't follow the instructions on the can, you will be able to paint your headers with VHT, and they'll look like this after a little while.

 

Haha. Yes, Jim. This is exactly what I want. A little flaky and crusty after a while.

 

That's how it was, in the old days...if you couldn't get them porcelainized, you suffered with lousy paint. I have no problem with it.

 

and don't forget "blued" chrome.

 

I have had the last few headers ceramic coated in and out. I like the finish and it is durable. This is my Olds 455, headers still look this good (with a few small oil stains ) My 34 wears ceramic Red's headers and the new Hemi has a pair of them as well.

 

Rattle Cans! Long ago when I raced my 57 Chevy, with sbc, fender well headers. Where I worked we had a big glass beader cabinet. I would put in fresh glass beads, blast my headers, next right into a small paint booth where I sprayed them down with lacquer thinner, dried them with warm air from my sisters hair dryer. Next came 4 coats of VHT from spray cans. Again with the hair dryer and on the engine, fire her up for 20 to 30 seconds, let it cool and do it again several times until it quit smoking and then go racing. Lasted many years.

 

Rattle can B-B-Que paint.

Lynn

 

POR15 makes a nice exhaust manifold paint, shoot it on, put it in the oven for 2 hours, good to go. Mine still looks good after 3 years.

 

BLUE ???????????

 

Yeah Don Pontiac engines are painted blue.

 

I had good results on my room mate's CJ7 header using VHT and heat cycling with a torpedo heater. I did sand blast the header first.

 

Rustoleum grille paint on mine, lasted all summer and still looks good.

 

I do mine with VHT I do them every 3 years, media blast fresh paint makes the old gasser look like new.

 

Over the years, I have done Jet-Hot ceramic, VHT spray can, and Eastwood brush-on. Each of the three will deliver differing outcome. The brush-on Eastwood gave a very uniform coating that lasted for over 15 years (i eventually replaced and sold the manifolds). The finish was more of a satin finish and held up very well. The brush on I used was Black and once it was cured looked like a very dark gray. I have Jet-Hot Sanderson headers on my 41' sedan delivery and they remain shiny regardless of what i throw at them. When i used VHT it resulted in a satin/matt finish and did begin to flake off in spots after a few years. If you are building a "period specific" car, I think you should choose one that is more authentic to the build.

 

If you also want it to be functional you can paint it high heat.
We use to use high heat red or high heat orange.
I know this sounds crazy,,but it actually looks pretty good after the burn in cycle.
And if you ever have a cylinder that is out or is weak,,,you can easily tell it.
When cold or warm ,the color will be dull,,,like it has been burned in.
If the cylinder is working and is hot,,it will be much brighter,,,almost like fresh paint.
It works,,,really!

Tommy

 

I used eastwood hi temp exhaust paint. in silver. holding up great.

 

I worked in a header shop in the early 70's. Owner heated the tubes up with oxy torch, then VHT silver while still hot.

 

I've had pretty good luck with both white and black rattle can high heat paint. Just want to make sure they are clean, no oil or grease on them before you spray. I painted my manifolds with high heat silver, I've ran the engine a few times, so far it still looks good, may change when I get to driving it. Sorry, don't remember what brand I used, bought it at WalMart.

 

Another for the Eastwood brush on stainless, Holds up Amazing, I ran ram horns on a blown SBC that would glow after a good romp... Never flaked with years of use... Been on the stand for year's now..

 

I used vht and they peeled pretty quick . Sanded and cleaned them again and used high temp 1200 degree white bbq paint and it’s held up much better . I feel like the difference was in the cure process, the 3 step vht was too easy to not get perfect , the bbq paint was just one heat cycle . Plus the bbq paint was 3 X cheaper . Honestly though , I bet the high temp powder coat would be the best approach.

 

Isn't metal, metal? I understand cast vs. mild steel........ I've had set's sprayed, which lasted forever, I've done VHT with the heating /cooling cycle= they just dulled, but never lost true color, and now E-wood coating=brush, but have baked them in the oven twice.... No discoloration, =yet. Just because they are made of X/Y/Z, doesn't mean the principles do not apply. They are tried and true...... D.I.Y is all in prep........
All in what your after for your ride will dictate what you do, and what you want to spend time wise, and $.
Results will vary.......

 

Brushed on Eastwood silver on the manifolds on my ‘64. Lasted 8 or 10 years and now are about half silver / half rust.
I’d do it again.

Also- what was the reason the headers can’t be heated?

 

I will say, the manifolds should be clean, else you risk failure of any of the types of coatings you use. I de-greased then blasted each of mine.

 

I blasted my manifolds and shot them with VHT from the can. Surprisingly good longevity

 

Kid down the street painted his with leftover housepaint. Light green...looked like slime for tires, but when it dried ('cured') it looked like some light tint on cast iron. Looked surprisingly...Good!
Had that Chris Craft Marine look...