ceramic coating for headers?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Kannapolis NC
ceramic coating for headers?
Has anyone had a set of headers ceramic coated ( i'm not talking about buying them coated)? Do you think is was worth the expense? What was the cost? Thanks
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I personally havnt had any coated, but a friend of mine has. I'd say its worth it. I think he paid somewhere around 750, but dont hold me to that. I know his truck was running way lean and had some missfire issues and his headers turned bright red one day. When they cooled, they looked the same with no discoloration. I think its worth it cuz I like the finish and they withstand the heat stress. I hear it increases horse power a bit, how much of that is true i dont know. Alot of people dont like the finish. It tends to be a bit too dull or flat looking so they go with chrome. Chrome cant withstand the heat so it turns multi colored...blue...orange, you know the deal.
I hear that they have powder coating which can withstand the heat these days, you might want to look into that as well.
One last choice to take is exhaust paint which totally sucks in my opinion. Might as well rock rust in the beginning.
Go with ceramic or look into high temp. powder coating.
I hear that they have powder coating which can withstand the heat these days, you might want to look into that as well.
One last choice to take is exhaust paint which totally sucks in my opinion. Might as well rock rust in the beginning.
Go with ceramic or look into high temp. powder coating.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I had the headers that came on my 56 ceramic coated by a local (LA) company. There were rusty and pitted and looked to be on their last legs. The silver-like coating smoothed them out a lot, looks great and makes them run appreciably cooler. The cost was about $175 and worth every penny.
I wouldn't consider replacing these without ceramic coating the new ones also.
I wouldn't consider replacing these without ceramic coating the new ones also.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
The ceramic coating IS a high temp powdercoating. My brother had a set done for his gas dragster which are the size of full length headers. I think he said it cost him about 300.00 to have done. They came out beautiful very shiny silver like polished aluminum.
He accidently dumped some auto trans fluid on them while they were hot. The fluid turned all dark and ugly, but by the time they had cooled, the residue just wiped off with a clean cloth without leaving any sign of the spill.
He accidently dumped some auto trans fluid on them while they were hot. The fluid turned all dark and ugly, but by the time they had cooled, the residue just wiped off with a clean cloth without leaving any sign of the spill.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
I paid $35 for a set of junk yard tube type headers for a trial fit. If they worked out, I was going to buy a new ceramic set $700. After putting in new studs, I had the junk yard headers ceramic coated (Western Michigan) for $165. They look like polished aluminum. Pictures in my gallerys. One of the best appearance investments I have made.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Michigan
AX is correct...it IS a high temp metalized-ceramic powder coating. I got the grand tour of a place in Saginaw, Michigan doing mine ...quite interesting. The smoother the surface to start with, the shinier they are
. This place does the inside, too...stating you can count on noticeably lower under hood temps. Cost of big block headers there is going to run me 250.00...I'm picking them up tomorrow. I'll try to get a picture of them on here.
Norb
. This place does the inside, too...stating you can count on noticeably lower under hood temps. Cost of big block headers there is going to run me 250.00...I'm picking them up tomorrow. I'll try to get a picture of them on here.Norb
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
I always use the high temp 1500 degree black header paint. Then I had my headers ceramic coated in a place in Oxnard, CA. They charge $150 and the next day you can pick them up. Why anyone wouldn't ceramic coat is beyond me. Big difference in both appearance and function. Heat is a big factor, especially if your running some serious horsepower. The ceramic headers run very cool, won't fade, chip, burn, yellow, etc. I won't use headers unless they have been coated anymore. Word of advice, stay away from the chrome headers. After a while, you understand why...
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Originally Posted by El Cabron
Learpilot, I have done a few sets. Last was 165.00 with frt 2 ways to HTP coating in Utah. Worth it for looks and performance. 
Pic in gal.
Pic in gal.Jethot wants $299 for mine, plus shipping.
thanks
Sam
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Col- It's my understanding you can coat anything with ceramic, even stainless steel headers. Not sure of the process of ceramic coating. I know with chrome plating, its not possible because stainless has no magnetic properties which is needed to plate. My friend has his 5.0 shorties ceramic coated, and they were stainless as well. So, my guess would be yes.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
If it conducts electricity and can stand 500* baking it can be ceramic powder coated.
You may need to do some surface prep to the SS such as sanding, blasting or priming to assure adhesion. Go to www.caswellplating.com for info, supplies and tech questions.
You may need to do some surface prep to the SS such as sanding, blasting or priming to assure adhesion. Go to www.caswellplating.com for info, supplies and tech questions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Adams,CO.
Sdetweil, this is the companyhttp://www.hightechcoatings.com/prod.htm if you go direct, I use Tim at Denver Specialty Center 800-299-0677 303-399-0677 as to support local biz. I hear the price is the same plus frt at HTC. Tim sends many sets at once and eats the frt. I understand that this price is for new headers as used must first be cleaned and treated in and out. I have never sent used so I can't confirm. Mine were red hot and look as new when cooled off.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by imlowr2
Col- I know with chrome plating, its not possible because stainless has no magnetic properties which is needed to plate.