Thread: painting my headers

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Ok, so I'm not going to splurge and spend the money on new ceramic coated header just yet so I'm wondering what to do with the one's I have now. I plan on painting them and I'm aware of the opinions on this subject as no heat resistant paint works well. That being said, I hear POR 15 has a heat resistant paint and was wondering if anyone has used or heard of its powers, also, someone mentioned using good ole barbecue grill paint. I'm not expecting it to last forever but a couple of years would be nice.

I wait with great anticipation for your responses.

I used VHT 1500 degree header paint on mine.
It's got a pretty flat look to it, but I think they make some types
that are kind of shiny. I don't think much else could withstand those kinds of temps. I don't know too many barbecues that reach 1500 degrees like the first 3 inches of headers can.

The best paint I have found for headers is from Caterpiller. Your local Caterpiller dealer sells Caterpiller manifold paint that really lasts and it's more of a gloss black too.
Jerry...

Thanks guys.

tcodi, where can I find that VHT 1500 paint? I'm looking for a flat black color

Jerryd, I'm not sure I want a glossy paint, but if all else fails I'll look into it.

yeah, I think glossy headers look good if they are plated real nice, but not with regular old paint, the flat look came out pretty good.
I got my can out of a Jeg's catalog, it was a long time ago, but I think I looked up header paint or something similar in the index. Regardless, the brand is VHT and it has "1500" written right across the front of the label. There are several choices for finish (gloss aluminum, gloss black, silver, etc) but I think one of them is "flat black" or something of the like.
Make sure you don't get regular old engine paint, the header paint is made to withstand far greater temperatures.

Originally posted by techinspector1
racer, as with all areas of life, there is a price to be paid for the initial low cost of paint on headers. You'll have to re-do it and re-do it and re-do it and..........

That's OK Tech, like I said if it last a couple of years I'd be happy. My goal is new headers in that time, anyhow.

i painted the manifolds on my olds with eastwoods high heat manifold paint its holdin up great you can buy it in black but i used the gunmetal grey lookin color

Powder Caot them. You can PC them with a high temp powder that columbia or caswell makes. Columbia's powders are real nice.

"........I plan on painting them and I'm aware of the opinions on this subject as no heat resistant paint works well......"


My experience with header/exhaust manifold painting is that it's not so much the paint but the prep and curing that determines how well the finish holds up.

The first step is to get the part absolutely clean and have a surface with a good "tooth" to hold the paint. This usually involves sand or bead blasting.

The next step is to paint and cure the parts. I usually apply 2 or 3 coats and cure the paint between each coat. I let the paint air dry and then go over it with a handheld propane torch (you can tell when it's cured as the solvents in the paint will come to the surface and evaporate off) let it cool a little and apply the next coat.

I've done this for several years on manifolds and both new and used headers. The paint usually holds up and looks good for over 5 years.

Originally posted by Mike P
"........I plan on painting them and I'm aware of the opinions on this subject as no heat resistant paint works well......"


My experience with header/exhaust manifold painting is that it's not so much the paint but the prep and curing that determines how well the finish holds up.

The first step is to get the part absolutely clean and have a surface with a good "tooth" to hold the paint. This usually involves sand or bead blasting.

The next step is to paint and cure the parts. I usually apply 2 or 3 coats and cure the paint between each coat. I let the paint air dry and then go over it with a handheld propane torch (you can tell when it's cured as the solvents in the paint will come to the surface and evaporate off) let it cool a little and apply the next coat.

I've done this for several years on manifolds and both new and used headers. The paint usually holds up and looks good for over 5 years.

If the headers have never been painted before would i have to blast them with an abrasive or just run a wire wheel brush on a drill do the job. They are bare metal and a little rust on the surface in places. It sounds like a good plan and I agree that preparation is the key to any paint job.

Originally posted by panelbeater
i painted the manifolds on my olds with eastwoods high heat manifold paint its holdin up great you can buy it in black but i used the gunmetal grey lookin color

I've heard of eastwood but not sure where to purchase it.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Powder Caot them. You can PC them with a high temp powder that columbia or caswell makes. Columbia's powders are real nice.

Yea FMX, I have looked into the Caswell stuff but a few cans of spray heat resistant paint is much cheaper still. Thanks for the idea.

Originally posted by panelbeater
i painted the manifolds on my olds with eastwoods high heat manifold paint its holdin up great you can buy it in black but i used the gunmetal grey lookin color

Ditto here.... Painted the exhuast manifolds on the Impala the same way and is holding up well but it's not a daily driver.

Originally posted by racerxjj67
I've heard of eastwood but not sure where to purchase it.

www.eastwoodco.com
Order a free cataloge from them as well if you'd like.