Header Coating Alternatives

[John S]

I read through about 16 pages of the forum last night and did not find n answer so I thought I would ask the question.
I've got a set of Hedman headers on my car. I bought them uncoated so that they would not get ruined during the Dyno and break in but it is time to clean them up.
I was going to send them to Jet Hot, then I started reading about Thermal Tek and either are an option. But one thing I have read is that neither CO will totally guarantee coatings on used headers. In addition it raises the cost of the coating due to cleaning the headers.
What I would like tom know is if anyone has used any other coatings such as the ones offered from Eastwood. I ask because there is still the possibility that some changes will need to be made to my exhaust later this year but for right now they look to dingy.
Can anyone offer real world advice on alternative coatings?

[go-fish]

Good question. I bought mine uncoated for the exact same reason. That and I need a little modification to one tube. I would be interested in the options out there too.

[Randy67]

Some people are using anti-sieze as a coating. Doesn't look too bad, some picts in the thread below.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showth...ght=anti+sieze

[funcars]

I've used Eastwood cast-iron look manifold paint and summit aluminum colored header paint recently. I actually like the summit aluminum header paint the best. It needs pre-curing before exposure to engine temp. Since I did not have a large oven I used a torch with a big nozzle and heated up each tube as best i could without getting it too hot and burning it. It works pretty good and looks (on holds up) better than the Eastwood paint I've used in the past. The worst stuff to use are the standard hi-temp header paints you can buy at autoparts stores. If you use aluminum coated steel exhaust tubing you can spray the aluminum paint over the joints where the welds would rust too.

Good luck

[bg5512]

My headers have some slight rust and I was going to blast them before coating. I've heard that KBS coatings makes a good header coating, but didn't want to try it wouthout some feedback first? Anyone used it?

[muffy]

There is a nother type of coating , its called Cerakote. It is applied the same way you wuold powder coat, but it is in a liquid form. I have used this on many projects in the shop and really like the finish. The prep is done one of two ways, media blast or chemical dip. You should be able to go to your local powder coat shop and have it done.

[19sixtynine]

I read through the thread on nastyz28 but couldn't find anyone asking the question i'd like to know which is; is this purely for looks or is there any heat dissipation benefit like with the jet hot type coatings? And, if my headers are brand new i'd still have to get them sandblasted to remove the factory black paint correct?

looks like a really cool alternative and i'm giving it some serious thought, thanks for the link Randy

[John S]

I've used cerakote to finish several of my home made AR15's with very good luck. Never thought to use it on headers, I wonder how it holds up to the heat. Now if only my oven were big enough for headers...

[muffy]

The ceracote is disigned for high heat applications, I have an exhaust shop and have had great luck with the product. The bigest key is to have them clean of all oil and impurities.

[muffy]

The ceracote does not disapate heat as well as jet-hot, jet-hot will drop your header temp 200deg, well thats what they say.

[John S]

Muffy, Does the cerakote need to be pre-baked before running on an engine or can the baking take place while running.

[Randy67]

I read through the thread on nastyz28 but couldn't find anyone asking the question i'd like to know which is; is this purely for looks or is there any heat dissipation benefit like with the jet hot type coatings? And, if my headers are brand new i'd still have to get them sandblasted to remove the factory black paint correct?

looks like a really cool alternative and i'm giving it some serious thought, thanks for the link Randy

I believe it is more of a looks thing, I doubt anti-seize is very insulating.

[19sixtynine]

thanks guys, I had a feeling it was just for looks but you never know....up until today I didn't even know this was an option.

Man, the ingenuity behind this hobby constantly amazes me!

[monteboy84]

Muffy, Does the cerakote need to be pre-baked before running on an engine or can the baking take place while running.

That's a good question. I use it on rifle parts, but I think the exhaust heat would cure it quite well. The only thing is, you're supposed to bake it prior to coating as part of your final prep, so you may need to bake the headers regardless.

Another option is John Deere brand TY25657 exhaust paint, we're using it on our race car exhaust (which gets HOT, like glowing red hot) with good luck. The worst it does is to discolor slightly, but doesn't seem to flake off or anything. I guess a lot of Harley guys use it on their exhaust as well.

-matt