Do ceramic headers lose their luster

[Shootstraight]

So picked up some Dougs raw headers for my 72 Elk project, plan to coat them in ceramic but the place is telling me the chrome like look will fade after use. If this is the case might just do them in Cerakote myself, seems the Cerakote (air dryed) has a temp rating to 1800 degrees. Anyone have any info regards to fading? Anyone tried Cerakote on headers?

[71RS/SS396]

So picked up some Dougs raw headers for my 72 Elk project, plan to coat them in ceramic but the place is telling me the chrome like look will fade after use. If this is the case might just do them in Cerakote myself, seems the Cerakote (air dryed) has a temp rating to 1800 degrees. Anyone have any info regards to fading? Anyone tried Cerakote on headers?

There are a lot of factors that determine whether the coating will lose it's luster. If your tune is off, extremely lean, too rich with late timing, will both damage the coating as both will make the exhaust temps high. If the coating is simply tarnished over time you can use a billet wheel polish to return the luster to them. Fwiw I would be very skeptical of any air cured coating, a properly cured high temp coating will hermetically seal the header.

[astroracer]

I'll get some pics of the headers on my truck. They have been on it since I had them Jet-Hot coated in 2001. They do dull down a bit over time but this is nothing compared to the longevity and heat reduction I have seen for 13 years. Having them coated by a reputable company is a no-brainer in my book and, even if they do get a bit "worn" looking, they still look a crap load better then a set of rusted pipes under there.
Mark

[silvermonte]

Ive treated my headers about as horrible as a person could and while they dont look new I would have to agree with astro that they look alot better then rusted pipes. Mine have just dulled down a bit and then I had my timing wrong once and got them a bit hot it caused some blueing on the corners. Ive had mine about 10 years now and Im pretty happy with the coating.

[alocker]

I have Cerakote on my headers but I am using a dull tungsten finish. Looks like cast iron and looks great. The Cerakote does air dry but exhaust heat will fully cure them after installation. They are pretty durable. I have not had them very long but I think for the price it is a good option.

The biggest difference would be Jethot puts them in a vibe polisher. I doubt the sheen on the Cerakote will have as much luster without the vibe polishing.

[Shootstraight]

I have Cerakote on my headers but I am using a dull tungsten finish. Looks like cast iron and looks great. The Cerakote does air dry but exhaust heat will fully cure them after installation. They are pretty durable. I have not had them very long but I think for the price it is a good option.

The biggest difference would be Jethot puts them in a vibe polisher. I doubt the sheen on the Cerakote will have as much luster without the vibe polishing.

Cerakote can be polished in the same way on certain products but I don't have access to that a tumbler/vibrator. You can buy a pint of Cerakote for $55 and spray them yourself out of a 1.8 tip gun, just spray it thin.