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Author Topic:   Header Paint?
Mooney
Gearhead

Posts: 1580
From: Marietta, Ga
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 04-06-2004 03:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mooney   Click Here to Email Mooney     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can't afford to get them ceramic coated, but wanted to at least try to keep them lookin' okay for a period of time. I was thinking of going with VHT but just figured I'd ask to see what everyone else used/thought.
Thanks!
Luke

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steve'66
Gearhead

Posts: 8826
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 04-06-2004 03:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for steve'66   Click Here to Email steve'66     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Luke,

I like the low maintenance low cost bad aszed look of rusty headers.

SteveW

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Dubz
Gearhead

Posts: 1718
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-06-2004 03:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dubz   Click Here to Email Dubz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
i read this a while ago on another board

quote:

I've seen some post that are high on ceramic coating headers. I know its good stuff and it cuts down on heat, but a lot of people cant afford it or dont think its neccesary. I have real good luck with header paint because of the process I use to put it on. A lot of people that dont know what ceramic coat looks like think that mine are ceramic coated. Here is how I paint them.

1. Fully sand blast the header to bear white metal.
2. Dont touch the header and use wire to hang it with the collector facing down.
3. Use a lit acetalyne or propane torch and aim it into the collector so your rotating the heat to each header tube. You have to use your own judgement how hot to get them. If you get to hot it will blister the paint when applied. You also dont want to be spraying the paint while the torch is going.
4. After step 3 spray the first light coat. I like VHT paint but others work to. You need 1 can per header.
5. Right after first coat go back to step 3 and heat up the header uniformly from the inside. If its to hot it will blister.
6. Keep repeating the steps untill 1 can of paint is on the header.
7. If you dont sandblast or bead blast the headers good you might as well not do any of this. Its not gonna stick.

Kevin


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Dad Vishus
Gearhead

Posts: 836
From: Moscow, Iowa, USA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 04-06-2004 04:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dad Vishus   Click Here to Email Dad Vishus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am using John Deere flat black muffler paint. It seems to stick OK and doesn't burn off, but keep in mind I'm running alchohol in a drag race car that sees maximum temps of around 1150 - 1200 for a few seconds at a time.

I wire brush the rust off, wipe em down and squirt em. Once a year seems to work pretty well.

The John Deere paint is a little pricey, around 11 bucks a can, but one can is enough for 2 headers.

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63 Falcon 377 Cleveland stroker Flying Toilet alchohol injection. 6.19 @ 110 MPH 1/8 mile
2002 Ranger FX4 daily driver
2000 F350 PSD Crew cab dually - Like commuting in a B52!!
98 US Cargo Phantom II 28'

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Mooney
Gearhead

Posts: 1580
From: Marietta, Ga
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 04-06-2004 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mooney   Click Here to Email Mooney     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would of never even thought of painting them until I wandered through the junkyard and actually saw a set of rusted up headers. No way no how.
Thanks for the input everyone!

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gunrocker
Gearhead

Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 04-06-2004 07:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gunrocker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've used Eastwoods exhaust manifold paint $15 aerosol or $22 brush on pint ...but would use the prep method that Dubz said. Mine look good after 12 years and I didn't even prep them...just painted it on and heated it up to cure by starting the engine. If you use the method Dubz said they should last forever.

Eastwood makes excellent products!

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Dubz
Gearhead

Posts: 1718
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-06-2004 07:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dubz   Click Here to Email Dubz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
while the outside may still look good using a header paint, the inside is still unprotected and may rust from the inside out

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1974 Gran Torino(351W/c6)
My Page
shooting for 14's this year

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wildfire466
unregistered
posted 04-06-2004 10:45 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ya I hear John Deer paint is great too. Gonna try it when my headers come in.

Les

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http://www.geocities.com/wildfire1mustang/

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Fastymz
Moderator

Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 04-07-2004 01:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fastymz   Click Here to Email Fastymz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I used home depot BBQ paint it's for high heat and real reasonable too. It gose on real smooth and looks great. I have not run the headers with the paint yet. So I'll let you know how it holds up.

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SCOOP

oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs

65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc.

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Kellxr7
Gearhead

Posts: 643
From: Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-07-2004 10:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kellxr7   Click Here to Email Kellxr7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Fastymz:
I used home depot BBQ paint it's for high heat and real reasonable too. It gose on real smooth and looks great. I have not run the headers with the paint yet. So I'll let you know how it holds up.


I did the same as you Scoop & the results were great, it applied well & it stayed on, theres only one spot on them where it peeled but that was my own fault, I didnt really clean them off properly before painting, I just wiped them down with Varsol. (was too anxious to get them mounted)& Theyve ran for a couple thousand miles & still look great other than that spot! I would recommend it, its what I am using until I can afford the ceramic coat.

[This message has been edited by Kellxr7 (edited 04-07-2004).]

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Fstln69
Gearhead

Posts: 535
From: Westmont,il
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-07-2004 03:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fstln69   Click Here to Email Fstln69     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I use the por-15 exhaust paint and on our fairlane it lasts about 3 years then needs repaint.Vht never lasted 3 months
Dennis

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