header paint
header paint
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Earth
I've used high-temp exhaust paint and it peeled off as well. I then tried barbeque paint and it has not peeled off at all. I've used it on the two-stroke exhausts on my snowmobiles and the headers on my 400 in my '53. The barbeque paint has worked with no problems. Good preperation is a must for whatever you use 
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
I was going to suggest bbq black as well. Even the high temp engine paints aren't really meant for headers, they claim 1500 but being a coating, they don't work as well. Bbq black is almost like a black etch primer in a way, it eats itself into the metal making it more durable. I'm assuming that since you want to paint them you're not wanting to spend the money on a set of ceramic coated, or Jet Hot coatings either.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by Indy_Gearhead71
I was going to suggest bbq black as well. Even the high temp engine paints aren't really meant for headers, they claim 1500 but being a coating, they don't work as well. Bbq black is almost like a black etch primer in a way, it eats itself into the metal making it more durable. I'm assuming that since you want to paint them you're not wanting to spend the money on a set of ceramic coated, or Jet Hot coatings either.
duplicolor has a paint supposedly meant for headers and is "with ceramic" but only rated to 1200*.....intermittently.
Both Engine Enamel and High Heat Paint formulas now contain ceramic resins for maximum heat dissipation and gloss retention. The resins also offer protection from exposure to excessive heat and automotive fluids. Developed and tested in the lab, Dupli-Color® Engine and High Heat Paints will perform to the most rigorous standards of racing and street rod enthusiasts.
Dupli-Color® High Heat Paint with Ceramic
- [*]
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: America
if you dont care which color they are you can use the high temp white. for some reason it seems to be the best for longevity. the way to apply it so it will stay is to take a torch and get the headers nice and warm then spray a good coat of the paint on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 0
From: western montana
paint inside and out- so you will want to clean the inside with some sort of aggressive detergent and then I'd soak rags with ospo acid to etch it real good then maybe use the bbq stuff on a rspongeand push-pull through a couple/4 coats. headers often rust from the inside out.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: nc
i wished i would have used some of that paint like the bbg paint, but in ford blue. I painted my new motor and its still blue but some rust is starting to come through. It could also be that the mud dried on it and caused it. How much does that bbg usually run??
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: peterborough ontario
thanks guys the hooker supercomo. look great . first i cleaned them out with seafoam and bottal brush sandblasted them then heated them a used duplicolor
4 coats in and out thay look great thanks again
4 coats in and out thay look great thanks again
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
Are you guys heating the headers up after the paint is applied? it seems most of the paint companies recommend that as part of the curing process. I crank mine up but I don't bring them up to full temp too soon in the drying/curing process. They