Manifold - Recoating for better appearance
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
Manifold - Recoating for better appearance
I know very little about engines and need suggestions. My Manifolds need some detailing. Anyone ever recoat your Manifolds while they are still on the car using the small brush and dressing. Can it be done that way? Or do I have to remove them.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
I should add that I have a 69 Corvette with L46 350hp engine with factory A/C P/S P/B. You can see my engine in my avatar and my photo album. Manifolds look rusty compared to the rest of the engine. I could also use a little detailing here and there under the hood to make the car a little more show worthy. It is in paint shop right now and will be finished painting in less than 3 weeks.
Last edited by etech152; Feb 3, 2005 at 10:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,226
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
Before you go through all the trouble. Put the car up on a lift and take a good, long look underneath with a bright light.
I found two long cracks in my manifolds when I started detailing my engine. Wound up replacing them along with new bolts, heat shields, etc.
If yours are the original iron manifolds... there's a good chance they could be warped, cracked, rusted etc. GM still makes the originals and when you paint them up with manifold paint... they look better than new!
Good Luck.
Tomorrow's lesson.... how to get those old bolts loosened up.
I found two long cracks in my manifolds when I started detailing my engine. Wound up replacing them along with new bolts, heat shields, etc.
If yours are the original iron manifolds... there's a good chance they could be warped, cracked, rusted etc. GM still makes the originals and when you paint them up with manifold paint... they look better than new!
Good Luck.
Tomorrow's lesson.... how to get those old bolts loosened up.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Victoria British Columbia
Originally Posted by 74Thrasher
Calyx manifold dressing. Got the idea from someone on here, can't remember who. Works great 
does a really nice job and leaves a finish that doesn't look like paint. You may have to redo once a year but it looks great. Put it on with a tooth brush, no need to remove manifolds or non flaky rust. See covettefaq.com for some ideas about using this stuff for other parts.
Last edited by dwe; Feb 4, 2005 at 12:20 AM. Reason: upside down
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
Thanks guys! I already have the dressing in a Jar with a brush. I got it from one of the major Corvette vendors. I just wanted to know if I could apply it on the exhaust manifolds without having to remove them. My manifolds are fine and work great, no cracks. Just would really make a hugh difference in appearance under the hood. Also the part which holds the brake fluid could use some cleaning up or paint too, the top part looks fine (as you can see in photos). These two parts are the biggest items I need to detail along with the firewalls (just lightly spraying them black should work) and of course touching up the heat mark on the red-orange intake. One more question, after applying the manifold dressing, do I crank the car up and let the manifold cure the dressing and thats all I do and it's finished?
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
I used Eastwood. Problem was, I first tried brush coating them while still on the engine. Over time, several small rust spots bled through. I ended having to remove them, having them media blasted, and then coated with Eastwood before re-installing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Paul hasn't chimed in yet. He (and others) have successfully
used a graphite spray-on lube. When it dries, it leaves the graphite
as a coating.
The answer is YES - calyx with them on the engine is OK.
Also, brush-on heat paints like POR-20 work OK.
used a graphite spray-on lube. When it dries, it leaves the graphite
as a coating.
The answer is YES - calyx with them on the engine is OK.
Also, brush-on heat paints like POR-20 work OK.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
Originally Posted by Emmett
Calyx works great but are about ready for a recoat
I also have some "Performance Choice" #106-908 Manifold dressing by Mid America. It comes with a small brush. I don't know how well this stuff works.
