BBQ Paint Headers

[keithmac]

Four coats of High heat stove/BBQ paint later , lets see how long it lasts. A bit too much snow here right now to find out though.

[bitsobrits]

Looks great. Did you do some sanding/smoothing before painting?

[Joes66]

Which brand of paint did you use?
Joe

[keithmac]

Tremclad , see picture. 350c Did a slight bit of smoothing , about a half hours worth. Just a dremel. If it lasts a year I will consider it a success and report back regardless.
Cheers All

[Mark Gordon]

I applied VHT header paint during my rebuild in 2013. It never looked glossy, but without any more applications, a quick buff with a terry cloth towel and it returns to its show ready satin finish. I would guess that VHT is essentially the same as BBQ paint, both being high heat tolerant.

[Joes66]

I can't get tremclad here in the uk
I used VHT and it just came of in about 40 mins
Looking for another product available here in the uk
Joe

[cactusman]

Sperex exhaust manifold paint is quite good. You don't get the gloss finish Keith has got. It dries to a Matt finish but I did mine four years back and they are still not bad. I just wire brushed them clean and then three coats of paint about two hours apart (hot day). Might remove them when the garage is not frozen and just give a single coat for the new season but it has lasted very well.
Sperex is readily available in rattle cans from my local independent motor factor for about £20. It comes in various colours but I used black.

[Philk]

Tremclad , see picture. 350c Did a slight bit of smoothing , about a half hours worth. Just a dremel. If it lasts a year I will consider it a success and report back regardless.

I note on the Tremclad website it is 350c (as stated) for gloss and 650c for flat black. Most exhaust manifold paint is aimed at the higher end of the temperature spectrum and I've yet to find one that is gloss black. Your manifolds are likely to get considerably hotter than 350c in use (particularly when cruising at motorway speeds) so it will be interesting to hear how they fare.

[keithmac]

Yep , two years later , there is little paint left on them. So next is VHT flat black and maybe a buff?.However I see VHT makes a semigloss ( read satin ) clear. I may do the flat , cure it ,buff, then satin, cure it and see if it will buff. I have tried silver VHT on my MG TD and looks great ten years and 15,000 miles later. Mind you the manifold of the 1250 four banger likely does not get quite as hot as the Jag's manifold. Snow is already thick outside and its off to the garage I go ! Just need to get wife out of the house for a few hours so I can sneak them into the oven for curing

[Philk]

Keith, if you are resigned to a flat finish, I was very pleased by the results of applying Eastwood's Calyx manifold treatment (graphite based) which provides a lustre finish. It is not black but can be applied with a soft toothbrush with the manifolds in situ. 20 minutes of stationary (well ventilated) running later, you're good to go. I still intend to get a pair of SNG's new/improved enamel manifolds but I quite like this as an interim solution

[keithmac]

Thanks Phil,
Just curious , what is new and improved about SNG's Ex manifolds ?
The US website mention little.

[Simon P]

+1 for the Calyx graphite paste. Eye-wateringly expensive by the time you've had it shipped from the States, but one tiny tub will last you a lifetime, and the finished effect is very natural and just lovely.

[Philk]

Thanks Phil,
Just curious , what is new and improved about SNG's Ex manifolds ?
The US website mention little.

You're right that there's little on their website. I recall something in a JEC email some while ago referring to an improved build process (may be Julian can elaborate if he sees this post). On their website there is now an after-market and a premium after-market version of each manifold. I'm guessing the "new" version is the latter.

[mgcjag]

Look in our new products section......post 70......but also othet options on the next page....Steve viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6798&hilit=Manifold&start=60

[OttoDachs47]

Anyone remember Stove Blacking. This was a Graphite paste for kitchen ranges and I reckon it is probably still available.
It’s very durable - i wonder if it would work on Manifolds??

Happy New Year. Ian.

[bitsobrits]

Stove blacking is still available in the U.S. Unsure as to how it would handle the higher heat of an exhaust manifold.