What can I use to paint my exhaust manifold? I bought some paint that was "supposed" to be for exhaust manifolds and headers. It went on nice (with a brush), and I had a nice gun metal grey manifold. After 8-10 miles, I now have a pink manifold!!!! Help!!!!....Chip
in my experience nothing really holds up to manifold or header temps. youve gotta find something that will laugh at 1400 degrees. and then hold up to the oxidation that occurs underneath.
there are some companies that will coat it in ceramic, but its expensive and it too will get hot and start exploding off. if you leave it bare it will just stay black.
Rust was the original Ford color after delivery!
I used Cast blast and it works ok. It turns a dark grey color but hasn't started to rust in a year. I painted about 6 coats over whatever was there. Never even sand blasted it.
Cast Blast worked for me. Follow the directions! They are important.
POR15 manifold grey paint. Can go on rusty or clean surfaces, can also be touched up. Been using it for years on many muscle car engine builds I have done for others.
I also used Cast Blast, the special hi temp manifold version. Been running it on the car almost 10 years now and it still looks new. When I sprayed it I had bought the can some years before and it was actually over its printed shelf life date, so that makes the results even more impressive in my mind.
I had mine powdercoated and installed in 2010. The powdercoat gloss faded within a couple of months; however, the paint has lasted for two years. There is a little bit of orange coming through now in places.
Do any of the vendors carry the Hi Temp paint?
Best I've found after trying many different types is Rustoleum barbecue black. No flaking or burning off for several years.
Still the best answer to this question I have seen is not even a paint, and you probably have some in your shop. Tom Carnegie shared this trick with me a few seasons ago. Prep your manifold with a quick wire wheel or sand blast. Put on some rubber gloves. rub around an even smear of silver color anti-sieze compound from a tube and rub it in. Put a bit on the threads while your at it. First start will smoke a bit but then it stays looking new and seems bullet proof. Second photo is after 2 full seasons + of driving. Seems very stable.
Before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/4383387121/in/set-72157623171821285
After: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/7829815512/in/set-72157631173490212
Erich .. your oil cap safety chain looks a little more professional than my piece of safety wire. :-) I did have my original blow or rattle off (fit pretty loose) .. luckly, it was still laying between the frame and generator. The wire is 1/2 to keep from loosing it when it rattles out ... or self imposed negligence. :-)
www.hirschauto.com
They have the hi temp paint
Thanks to all for the info....Chip
Sorry this photo is not larger, but here are my manifolds, sandblasted, then painted with not-budget-friendly-but-awesome Bill Hirsch cast grey paint. Set up for a little curing in this photo. This gives you an idea of color. The color lightened since. Salt to taste...
I used Eastwood's Hi-temp satin black aerosol paint on my manifold, which stands up to 1200 degrees F, (if you follow the directions) and looks great. After spraying it on, it is cured in in an oven in 3 stages: 1st. stage: 30 minutes at 250 degrees, then cool for 30 minutes. 2nd stage: 30 minutes at 400 degrees, then cool for 30 minutes. 3rd. stage: 30 minutes at 600 degrees then let cool and it is ready. I did mine 2 years ago and the coating still looks as good as when it was first applied. See: www.eastwood.com/satin-black-hi-temp-coating.html. The link I provided only shows the satin black, but I believe the Hi-Temp coating also comes in grey, silver and clear coat. Jim Patrick
I have used stove black polish that you use on the old pot belly stoves. It is cheap and goes on with a rag.I find that it lasts for 6 months or so, at which time you just put some stove black on a rag and give it another wipe and you are good for another 6 months. It dries to a matt black finish but by giving it a light buff with a shoe brush it give a dull lovely shine. You should be able get it from your local hardware store.
John Deere muffler paint, its black comes in a rattle can and any JD dealer should have it. Seems to defy the heat.