Anyone that has painted their headers...please, enter my thread.

LAFENATU · Jul 7, 2008

So tell me how did you do it exactly.

I know the paint will eventually rust, even the true ceramic coated will eventually rust, there is no way around it.

I blew a head gasket so, I think I might give it a try. I noticed "VHT Ceramic Header Paint" that is from 1600 - 2000 degrees at Auto Zone when I had to pick up my Fel-Pro head gasket set.

I am thinking having them sandblasted but I might not have the opportunity to do that..

So tell me how did you do it?? Any recomendations?? They are Ford Motorsport Stainless Headers if that helps at all..

Thanks for the info in advance.. :TY:

-Rob

Nacho · Jul 7, 2008

I took them off and cleaned them. I cleaned them with a thinner and then sanded them down. Used the thinner again and sanded again. Before spray painting it, I ran them down with some more thinner. I then used that VHT paint and let them air dry for 3 days. Let me just say that it was all a waste of time. Within the first 50 miles, the paint was burning off and making a small smoke show.

If I would do it again, I'd send them out to get ceramic coated.

Paul · Jul 7, 2008

I've ceramic coated two sets of headers. I had them shot blasted in a wheelabrator machine with steel shot, wiped them down, and painted them with real ceramic paint (withstands 2000 degrees and costs $$$) through a paint gun.

I'm going to be doing it again soon on a set of Motorsports stainless headers. I guarantee they won't rust.

Paul.

LAFENATU · Jul 7, 2008

Nacho said:
Let me just say that it was all a waste of time. Within the first 50 miles, the paint was burning off and making a small smoke show.

If I remember correctly, doesn't it say you have to bake them in the oven at 200 degrees for 1/2 hour, let it cool for 1/2 hour.

Then cook it at 400 for another 1/2, cool for 1/2??

That might make a difference in the way it reacts? Wonder if anyone else had that problem?

Paul · Jul 7, 2008

Yes. Typically even with normal store-bought ceramic paint you're supposed to bake them for a while. The stuff I spray has to be baked at 800 degrees. If you don't bake it, it won't cure correctly.

Paul.

Nacho · Jul 7, 2008

I guess that was the reason why it didn't work. Oh well.

Paul · Jul 7, 2008

It's more likely that the prep was insufficient rather than the baking. If prepped correctly, the paint will actually cure while the car is running.

Prep is the most important part of paint.

OnyxCobra · Jul 7, 2008

I painted my headers with VHT flameproof paint, I didn't heat them in an oven before installing them on the car and they are doing great, not flaking off or anything. The trick is to only use enough paint to cover the metal, using extra paint will cause it to blister off.