I have tryed hi temp exhaust paint and wood stove paint on the side pipes. It does not last very long at all. Its a 1978 350 hooker header exhaust system. Does anyone have something better. Thank You

 

That hi-temp stuff requires heat in the 1000* range to cure properly. I wouldn't use it on anything other than the first 12" of your headers...if there. My headers only measure 300* at idle, but they are Jet Hot coated. I'd use engine paint on the sidepipes. It will cure at room temps and should be more durable. I've had good results with Plasti-kote engine enamels on 100% exposed brake calipers on my DD. They've been painted for two years and still look as good as day one. I do NOT baby them. They get sprayed with water and harsh chemicals when still hot, they've been through two pad&rotor changes and mutiple wheel rotations and show only a few chips that have not propagated.

Remember, surface prep. and primer is the key.

 

If you use the really hot paint, it just comes off, I experimented with my black hooker side pipes and now use the medium heat or lighter heat black paint, it stays on and looks much better...

I have to paint the pipes about 2x a year

 

CGGorman is right, prep is the key. I remove the crappy factory coating with a bead blaster, then sand with emery cloth, and finally paint with barbeque paint. I've never used primer, but it might work well. Mine will last on average, 3-4 years of daily driving. I also did my chambered exhaust this way. 2 years and still looks like i just did it! Takes a bit of elbow grease, but the rewards are satisfying.
TJ