Painting headers
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Painting headers
I just got a set of Sanderson shortie headers for my truck. They are brand new, however I'm thinking about painting them before installing them. Anyone have good tips on what paint to use and the procedure so the paint will last? I may get them ceramic coated, but don't have the extra cash for it right now.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I painted my dragster's headers with high temp flat black paint from VHT. It didn't hold up for even 1/2 the season. I got new SS headers though. I'm planning on trying POR-15 factory manifold gray on the manifolds I'm going to be using in my '55
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Ed -
Like you, I asked around about header paint. The headers that came with my truck were pitted and rusty so they had to get something done. None of the folks I talked to had anything good to say about paint except to buy a lot of it because I would be repainting often.
I had mine ceramic coated by an outfit in LA. Not very pricy (about $200?), but they still look great 3 years later. I wouldn't do anything else, especially if I had new smooth ones to work with. If you need the company info, I can get it for you.
Like you, I asked around about header paint. The headers that came with my truck were pitted and rusty so they had to get something done. None of the folks I talked to had anything good to say about paint except to buy a lot of it because I would be repainting often.
I had mine ceramic coated by an outfit in LA. Not very pricy (about $200?), but they still look great 3 years later. I wouldn't do anything else, especially if I had new smooth ones to work with. If you need the company info, I can get it for you.
Posting Guru
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From: Northwestern PA
ED,
I'm not sure if this will be any help , But while lookin on e-bay I saw new ceramic coated headers for small block ford for under $ 200. I know nothing of the quality or anything elce.
Mike
I'm not sure if this will be any help , But while lookin on e-bay I saw new ceramic coated headers for small block ford for under $ 200. I know nothing of the quality or anything elce.
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Canton,Oh
I painted my block huggers with high temp paint from Napa. I laid them in the sun to get the metal hot one day. Painted them without primer. So far I only have 12 hours or so run time but they still look perfect. Still like the coated ones better tho.
Later,Bill
Later,Bill
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Postmaster
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From: Santa Clarita
Well, I did some checking on the ceramic coating. I found a place in Camarillo, CA that coats them for $175.00 with a two day turnaround. I may have to do that. As for ebay, I saw the headers and found several before (trust me, this has been a year long search for headers that fit). I bought these Sandersons on ebay for $114.00 and they actually fit as if they were made for the truck. I've tried just about every other header I can think of, and nothing fit. So I'm excited. I think I better have these coated instead of messing with painting. Sanderson states to put the headers in the oven at 200 degrees. First wipe it down with Acetone, bake it and spray with VHT paint. They claim it will last for a long time? Thanks for the advice guys.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Please let us know the results of the outfit in Camarillo. It sounds like a winner. Thanks, Jag 
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Earth
If you get them ceramic make sure they get coated inside and out, not just the outside.
As for Sanderson headers, I followed their directions for mine, except I did not use VHT paint. I used Barbeque Grill paint from Lowes. So far, so good. I've heard similar complaints about VHT not working like it should, and have heard better results with BBQ paint.
As for Sanderson headers, I followed their directions for mine, except I did not use VHT paint. I used Barbeque Grill paint from Lowes. So far, so good. I've heard similar complaints about VHT not working like it should, and have heard better results with BBQ paint.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
Have you looked at the manifold paint from Eastwood or POR-15? I have used the Eastwood paint with good results (all but once, I think my problem though). It needs baked on, either by running engine or in an oven. Have had it last for years.
I don't know the name, but was told by a friend of a place in Jacksonville, Illinois that will ceramic coat a set for $100.
I don't know the name, but was told by a friend of a place in Jacksonville, Illinois that will ceramic coat a set for $100.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
Have them coated, you'll never regret it. How many times are you willing to have to remove/replace them? Painting (or coating) the outside only helps the appearance. Coating the inside will make them last the life of the truck and actually improve performance, headers die from the inside out. Do it now while they are new.
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Postmaster
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From: Santa Clarita
I'll take your guys advice. I just took the headers in for ceramic coating.
Jag- You asked on references for coating. I found two places in Camarillo, CA that do the coating. (nearest for me at least in CA, not many places doing this for whatever reason?).
Rewarder Headers
590 E. Constitution Rd
Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 445-1015
These guys specialize in drag racing headers and boat headers. They want $160.00 for the shorty headers to be ceramic coating. They didn't mention anything about guarantees. They are on vacation right now also...
Xtreme Coatings
270 N. Aviator St.
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 388-9983
Specialize in coating of all types. Give a life time warranty against flaking, peeling, etc. They want $150 to do my headers with a two day turnaround. The shop is very clean and the guys are very helpful and knowledgable on the subject. I got a few recommendations from hot rod shops and muffler shops on these guys. I'm taking the header in today for coating. Ask for Allen if you need more info. He's the owner.
I'll let you guys know how the headers come out after they ceramic coat them.
imlowr2
Jag- You asked on references for coating. I found two places in Camarillo, CA that do the coating. (nearest for me at least in CA, not many places doing this for whatever reason?).
Rewarder Headers
590 E. Constitution Rd
Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 445-1015
These guys specialize in drag racing headers and boat headers. They want $160.00 for the shorty headers to be ceramic coating. They didn't mention anything about guarantees. They are on vacation right now also...
Xtreme Coatings
270 N. Aviator St.
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 388-9983
Specialize in coating of all types. Give a life time warranty against flaking, peeling, etc. They want $150 to do my headers with a two day turnaround. The shop is very clean and the guys are very helpful and knowledgable on the subject. I got a few recommendations from hot rod shops and muffler shops on these guys. I'm taking the header in today for coating. Ask for Allen if you need more info. He's the owner.
I'll let you guys know how the headers come out after they ceramic coat them.
imlowr2
Last edited by imlowr2; Sep 13, 2005 at 02:08 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 288
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From: Agua Dulce, So. Calif.
Originally Posted by imlowr2
I'll take your guys advice. I just took the headers in for ceramic coating.
Jag- You asked on references for coating. I found two places in Camarillo, CA that do the coating. (nearest for me at least in CA, not many places doing this for whatever reason?).
Rewarder Headers
590 E. Constitution Rd
Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 445-1015
These guys specialize in drag racing headers and boat headers. They want $160.00 for the shorty headers to be ceramic coating. They didn't mention anything about guarantees. They are on vacation right now also...
Xtreme Coatings
270 N. Aviator St.
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 388-9983
Specialize in coating of all types. Give a life time warranty against flaking, peeling, etc. They want $150 to do my headers with a two day turnaround. The shop is very clean and the guys are very helpful and knowledgable on the subject. I got a few recommendations from hot rod shops and muffler shops on these guys. I'm taking the header in today for coating. Ask for Allen if you need more info. He's the owner.
I'll let you guys know how the headers come out after they ceramic coat them.
imlowr2
Jag- You asked on references for coating. I found two places in Camarillo, CA that do the coating. (nearest for me at least in CA, not many places doing this for whatever reason?).
Rewarder Headers
590 E. Constitution Rd
Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 445-1015
These guys specialize in drag racing headers and boat headers. They want $160.00 for the shorty headers to be ceramic coating. They didn't mention anything about guarantees. They are on vacation right now also...
Xtreme Coatings
270 N. Aviator St.
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 388-9983
Specialize in coating of all types. Give a life time warranty against flaking, peeling, etc. They want $150 to do my headers with a two day turnaround. The shop is very clean and the guys are very helpful and knowledgable on the subject. I got a few recommendations from hot rod shops and muffler shops on these guys. I'm taking the header in today for coating. Ask for Allen if you need more info. He's the owner.
I'll let you guys know how the headers come out after they ceramic coat them.
imlowr2
BBQ paint on my shorties on my50 f1 pu and they still look ok but they tend to get chalky. His are for his 70 4x4 chevy pu and it is more of an ordeal to install. But now that he works at a muffler shop we can do things differantly. lets hear back on the results. Ed ke6bnl
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