Topic: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?

[65pon]

Hey All,

I'm about to fit new repop HiPo manifolds to my car.
I don't want them to turn rusty brown in the future.
What's the best method/product to maintain the grey cast iron look?
Thanks,
Ben

[Rsanter]

They make a ceramic coating that looks a lot like natural cast iron

Bob

[Twilight65]

+1 on the ceramic coating, have used stainless coating from Eastwood on one car and ceramic on my other, always having to touch up the stainless coating but ceramic looks like the day it was put on.
Dave

[67gtasanjose]

... but ceramic looks like the day it was put on.
Dave

Eastwood or another brand?

[Twilight65]

Hey Ben,
I misspoke I didn't mean ceramic I meant powder coated. I had a local shop do the gray powder coating and still looks like the day I picked them up (about 5000 miles put on car since). Cost me around $100.
Dave

[J_Speegle]

To me you can always tell if something is power coated since it normally adds to the thickness and reduces the details

The spray ceramic paints have done well for me so far - before that liquid graphite

[lancelot66]

That's a very good observation and point to bring up Jeff. This is such a timely subject post for me here too. I was out in the garage yesterday, working on our left side manifold I bought used awhile back. The date code is better than what I'd obtained and put on there previously and this new(old) one is almost ready to go now except for the final finish. I too have wondered what would be best to use. The FoMoCo rectangle particularly was what I had the most concerns about, filling in too much with either ceramic or powder coating. We have a pretty good powder coater out here by us too.  I have this little half pint of POR manifold gray I had been saving for this project but I may look into a high temp ceramic spray, now that you've brought that up. I like being able to look in there at shows, in the sunshine when it's just right, and see that little rectangle, knowing it's like it ought to be. Simple pleasures and the satisfaction you feel that kinda embarrasses, sharing it sometimes...

There's still time for a good decision though cause I haven't pulled and prepped the driver's side yet!

-Lance
1-6-66
San Jose Fastback
Owned 27 years

[lancelot66]

Correction, please forgive:

Yesterday's effort involved the right (passenger) side! Hard to forget when you're working that long to drill out a snapped off heat riser stud and install a new one....Might be the allergies again or something acting up....

-Lance

[dave6768]

I have had great success with Bill Hirsch paint.  Sand blast, clean, paint, cure at 400 degrees for 4 hours.  My first set was done 12 years ago and I have probably 10,000 miles on them.  Still look great.

I just did a second set about two months ago, have ~ 50 miles on the and they still look new 

[67gtasanjose]

I have had great success with Bill Hirsch paint.  Sand blast, clean, paint, cure at 400 degrees for 4 hours.  My first set was done 12 years ago and I have probably 10,000 miles on them.  Still look great.

I just did a second set about two months ago, have ~ 50 miles on the and they still look new 

Did you use the rattle cans or the pints?

[65pon]

Has anyone had any success with the Duplicolor "High Heat" ceramic paint?
http://www.summitracing.com/dom/parts/shw-dh1614/overview/

[J_Speegle]

Has anyone had any success with the Duplicolor "High Heat" ceramic paint?
http://www.summitracing.com/dom/parts/shw-dh1614/overview/

Would not expect much from a $10 rattle can. Also don't think I would want to add an additional layer of paint on the manifolds by applying a primer

Just me

[jwc66k]

Just for reference, I painted the exhaust manifolds on my 66 "K" Fastback about two years ago with Eastwood Stainless Steel Coating Hi Temp 1200F brush on paint and here are a couple of pictures. I've tried McKay Graphite Spray that looks good but doesn't last.
Jim

[lancelot66]

You're exactly right Jim. I was trying to remember what I'd used several years ago on ours and it was the McKay Graphite Spray. It's starting to let some rust through finally but appearance-wise, it stayed gray powdery in color & texture but looks pretty shabby now, especially compared to your Hi-Po. That would be another great option to consider, looks great!
-Lance

[Bob Gaines]

Jet hot is longest lasting and least amount of maintenance IMO but is a little pricy. It has a similar finish to the others which is to say it still looks painted.