1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Painting exhaust manifolds

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by spud, Jul 11, 2007.

  1. Jul 11, 2007
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2003
    Messages:
    311
    I'm considering high temp paint for my cast iron manifolds and was thinking that a pre-heat in an oven would help with the paint bonding. Has anyone done this proceedure and did it help with the paint durability?? What temp did you use on the oven?? I'm going to glass bead the manifolds first to clean them up.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2007
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,373
    I would consider not preheating as it may affect the way the paint reacts when it hits the manifold.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2007
    BLACKMGTD

    BLACKMGTD STEVE

    CANTON CT
    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2006
    Messages:
    110
    I have never seen a so called High Temp Paint last very long on exhaust manifolds, BUT,,, I have seen very good results from this place,,, http://www.jet-hot.com/

    Hope this helps
     
  4. Jul 11, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    POR-15 has a manifold paint that's supposed to look like cast iron. They call for sandblasting first IIRC.

    I have baked some things in my oven, and most paints do not react well to too much heat. If you bake too hot, the paint will crackle or wrinkle, and I expect it will be nearly impossible to get paint to stick to a heated object. The reducer will flash over and you'll have no time for the paint molecules to bind to the surface. You can give a little heat (ca 200F) to speed drying after application though - this works particularly well with the Rustoleum enamel, which usually takes forever to dry anyway.
     
  5. Jul 11, 2007
    BobFortier

    BobFortier Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2005
    Messages:
    254
    I painted mine with engine paint, Ford Blue I think, and it seems to hold pretty well


    Bob
     
  6. Jul 12, 2007
    grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    Anchorage, AK
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2005
    Messages:
    1,758
    It's called factory manifold grey. I used it on Pete. Excellent paint, as all POR paints are, and has a bare metal look. Only about 5 miles and some idle time on it so far so I can't speak to the durability. However, it's been at operating temp several times for 10 minutes or so and has shown no hint of any changes yet. Only pic I have at work is from a distance.:v6:
    View attachment 18819
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2007
  7. Jul 12, 2007
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2003
    Messages:
    311
    Thanks guys, I ordered the POR product. Should be here next week.
     
  8. Jul 12, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Eastwood has a similar paint with stainless steel in it, and it holds up pretty well. I've used it on several project cars.
     
  9. Jul 12, 2007
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2003
    Messages:
    311
    Were you satisfied with the finish on cast parts????
     
  10. Jul 12, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Yes, very. It is a little brighter than the bead-blasted cast iron, but not objectionably so and I haven't had it burn off yet. It will get a little darker when it heats up, but the color seems to stay even overall. I think the key is to get the metal a clean as possible before applying the paint.

    http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=742&itemType=PRODUCT

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Jul 12, 2007
    NorCoJeeper

    NorCoJeeper Member

    Ft. Collins CO
    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2006
    Messages:
    470
    One of the secrets to getting paint to stick to manifolds is heat cycling. After installing them, run the engine a few seconds to get the heat up in the manifold, then let them cool completely. Run the engine again for a couple minutes followed by a cool down. Do this two or three times getting the manifolds hotter each time before getting the iron really hot (i.e. driving) and the paint will last longer.
     
  12. Jul 12, 2007
    GreenKaiser

    GreenKaiser Flamed out again....

    Nashville, TN
    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2005
    Messages:
    47
    I made up a set of headers out of plumbing pipe and sandblasted them before painting them with POR-15. Like NorCoJeeper says, the key is to build up the paint in layers through several heat cycles. Mine seems to stick real well even though I've heat wrapped the pipes and gotten them wet several times. Just watch out for hot anti-freeze! I spilled some on mine and it ate right through the paint like nothing I've ever seen. Had to start over with the paint as it started rusting almost instantly.
     
  13. Jul 13, 2007
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2003
    Messages:
    311
    This is great info guys, I'll remember this next week when it's time to install.
     
  14. Jul 14, 2007
    74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    Houston, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2002
    Messages:
    269

    I did Jet Hot a decade ago... to this day I have no rust!! Worth every dime!
     
New Posts