Paint exhaust manifold?

[ClodSlayer]

I have to do a head gasket job on my 4-banger, and while I was pulling it apart I realized that the exhaust manifold is kinda rusty... Not rusty to the point where it needs replacing, but rusty enough to look bad. I was wondering what the best way to paint it is, if there is one. And if there isn't what can I do to make it look better? I know it's not essential, but I like a neat-looking engine.

 

[dvsj67]

I have heard of guys painting exhaust manifolds, but I fiigure that it will look even worse once the paint starts to flake, I think if you really want it to look better... look into getting it powder coated

Thats just my opinion.

 

[doorgunner]

Hi-Temp paint works great.......for about a week.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

http://www.por15canada.com/can/hightempcoatings.asp

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hi-Temp paint works great.......for about a week.

I got about two months out of mine, then it literally flash rusted in places over night. I know it was over night because I was changing the water pump at the time, one day they looked perfect and the next day they were all scuzzy.

That was on headers too though.

 

[dvsj67]

http://www.por15canada.com/can/hightempcoatings.asp

I would say this stuff looks like the best bet.. But again probably only last so long. Also they make it pretty clear the need for sandblasting first. I think there is just way to much expansion and contraction at the manifold to withstand any coating. By the time you pay for the coating and sandblasting I think powder coating is still the best route as it will expand and contract with the manifold.

 

[88_Eddie]

i have headers on my 2.9, painted them with high temp paint. the FIRST time i drove it, every damn bit of paint flaked off. some parts stores will have VHT, very high temp paint. you could try that or the stuff made for grills, i think that would be your best bet.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would say this stuff looks like the best bet.. But again probably only last so long. Also they make it pretty clear the need for sandblasting first. I think there is just way to much expansion and contraction at the manifold to withstand any coating. By the time you pay for the coating and sandblasting I think powder coating is still the best route as it will expand and contract with the manifold.

For the record I did sandblast mine too.

 

[paulnola]

I had the rusty iron manifold off of my 1967 MGB sandblasted first, then I painted with the VHT paint (for grills and chimneys). The directions said to bake them in a 400+ oven for a few hours after the last coat was sprayed on, so that is what I did. It looked great but I never got to try it in the engine due to Hurricane Katrina.

 

[doorgunner]

I had the rusty iron manifold off of my 1967 MGB sandblasted first, then I painted with the VHT paint (for grills and chimneys). The directions said to bake them (the exhaust manifolds) in a 400+ oven for a few hours after the last coat was sprayed on, so that is what I did. It looked great but I never got to try it in the engine due to Hurricane Katrina.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaahahhahahahaaaaaaaaaaa...that needs to be a sig....only to a TRS Member would that sound like a goooood idea!!!!

 

[ClodSlayer]

I It looked great but I never got to try it in the engine due to Hurricane Katrina.

That blows man...

 

[colby450xc]

Either it get ceramic coated or try this stuff,,, you need to get it sandblasted or sand it your self completely http://www.techlinecoatings.com/Exhaust.htm

 

[adsm08]

Not to be a dick, but you sound like Steve Buscemi looks.

 

[ClodSlayer]

Your non-dickyness is noted, and I'll try to sound a little less steveish.... You got an opinion on painting/powder coating?

 

[straycat]

Hi-Temp paint works great.......for about a week.

The trick is to bead blast the headers first and then hi-temp-coat them. I got many years on my headers that way. Powercoat is the best of course.