Anyone Painted their Headers?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Anyone Painted their Headers?
using high temp paint with success? How hot do these exhausts get? Dupla-color has got a 1200 degree ceramic paint that might work but I'd like to get some of your opinions. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 73
From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
I used the best paint Sherwin-Williams had and it still peeled off...
Check into getting them Jet-Coated...similar to powder coat, only for high temp. I have had several sets of motorcycle exhausts done and they are very durable.
Check into getting them Jet-Coated...similar to powder coat, only for high temp. I have had several sets of motorcycle exhausts done and they are very durable.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Your uncoated headers will begin to glow red (visible in daylight) at about 1000 degrees F.
If you can get the headers media blasted, then immediately sprayed without so much as a fingerprint landing on the surface between cleaning and coating, it might hold up.
The high temps paints like VHT do work as advertised, but most often fail because of poor/insufficient surface prep.
The basic JetHot ceramic coating is rated to 1100 degrees, they do have higher temp coatings too, as do most all ceramic coating shops.
The high temp paints contain some of the same basic materials as the professionally applied ceramic coatings...the big difference is the prepwork, and the controlled environment in which they are applied.
No different than spraying your whole car with a rattle can. Sure, it can be done, but the results will almost always fall short of a professional application.
If you can get the headers media blasted, then immediately sprayed without so much as a fingerprint landing on the surface between cleaning and coating, it might hold up.
The high temps paints like VHT do work as advertised, but most often fail because of poor/insufficient surface prep.
The basic JetHot ceramic coating is rated to 1100 degrees, they do have higher temp coatings too, as do most all ceramic coating shops.
The high temp paints contain some of the same basic materials as the professionally applied ceramic coatings...the big difference is the prepwork, and the controlled environment in which they are applied.
No different than spraying your whole car with a rattle can. Sure, it can be done, but the results will almost always fall short of a professional application.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 11
From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
I have to apologize for sounding condescending in my previous post, but how are you intending on spray painting the inside of the header? Professional coatings always do the inside as well as out. Spend the money and have them professionally done. You'll be happy you did 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
No problem. I was just going to paint the outside with a high temp paint... purely cosmetic but after reading these posts I think I'll just leave them alone. Professional coatings are great but are pretty costly. These headers are stainless and really don't look bad the way they are.
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I painted mine with Header paint from Auto-zone. Been on them for over a year now, and looks new!!! I preped the headers first and then sprayed them. Over 4000 miles.
No worries!
Matt
before install or paint
I thought I had a better pic, Ill get one this weekend.
No worries!
Matt
before install or paint
I thought I had a better pic, Ill get one this weekend.