Guys, I'm installing new exhaust headers on my S10. They were brand new, but only cost me $50 at a swap meet and are very similar to my old ones.

I'm certain they're coated with your basic keep-them-from-rusting-untill-it-burns-off black paint.

Any advice for me on how to do that a little better? I reckon if I painted over that stock paint with some much better paint that it would only burn off anyway.

Does anyone sand blast new headers for a bare surface to put on better paint while they're new?

I want to wrap the headers with tape too, before I install them. Mostly to help protect the spark plug boots.

Lol, I may run out of time and just let my $200 headers that I paid 50 bucks for and let them rust.....

Thank you and stay well.

I would not use that heat tape, it makes them rust under the tape.

The headers I built about 7 years ago I just used the cheap heat paint as I wanted black headers. They are needing a touch up / repaint now. But I wanted that dark look on my car.

I think you have already touched on it the better you prepare the surface the better the paint will work. If you want a glossy black look they have a good coating for that.

Whatever spray paint you use, you will need to heat cycle the paint a couple times. Then the last coat will last better.

Deere Muffler Black...worth the coin

Get them coated or keep buying swap meet headers, no spray paint last.

Lots of great tips, guys; thank you all.
I see on the manufacturer's website (Patriot) that the headers are supposed to already have "hi-temp paint", but I dunno.

I may not fool with it; they're non-tuned units with 1 1/2" primaries, and I plan to get a different car to race in a year or so.

Will keep that Deere muffler black in mind, too.

Thx again.
T.

jet hot coatings inside and out

Coating inside and out is always better but Eastwood makes a hi temp header coating that works really well.

Jet Hot !!! Life time warranty, I sent my 20 year old headers back to Jet Hot last winter and only had to pay the shipping and for the new turn-outs I put on the originally coated headers. Jet Hot thinks that my headers may be one of the oldest sets that have been sent back for re-coating. They said we have life time warranty and they stood behind their word. Remember you get what you pay for.

The VHT spray paint works well. It does not burn off but it's not overly durable.VHT

It's about time to coat my headers but I have an oven and I think I will Cerakote them. I hope I can get them in there.

I agree the Jet-hot coating looks good and is durable. Thing is I do not think the original poster wanted to spend $350 or so on a set of $50 headers and was looking for painting options.

por-15 exhaust paint. 50/50 thinnned out with reducer of your choice and brush it on. Bonus - its easy to touch up if anything get scratched. Comes in grey or black. Wear gloves, do not get it on your skin - its very difficult to get off.

I had my headers coated and it burned off after a couple of years. The por-15 has held up much better for 1% of the price.

Its amazing how good it works and lasts.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 69dart,

POR-15 is good stuff !!

quote:

Originally posted by Brktracer:
The VHT spray paint works well. It does not burn off but it's not overly durable.VHT

This stuff works great. There are two temp ratings - make sure to get higher of the two.

rustoleum high heat

Man POR-15's website is screwed right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
I agree the Jet-hot coating looks good and is durable. Thing is I do not think the original poster wanted to spend $350 or so on a set of $50 headers and was looking for painting options.

Heheh, thank you Curly. It's all good; I will need the other advice one day too when I get a real race car.
Cheers,
T.