Exhaust manifold treatment
Discussion
This year I plan to take out the pre-cats and whist the manifolds are removed I am wondering what I can do to improve the appearance of the manifolds/cat. It all looks like a rusting pile of Victorian plumbing and I wondered whether I should put some UHT type paint onto them or put some exhaust wrap (still not pretty) around them.
I've read in past threads over the years that paint hasn't been at all successful with paint that should withstand 1500C flaking off within days however if any new ideas or products have emerged I'd love to hear. I don't want to pay ~ £1,000 for new s/s manifolds or almost that amount for ceramic coating the existing manifolds.
Thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
I've read in past threads over the years that paint hasn't been at all successful with paint that should withstand 1500C flaking off within days however if any new ideas or products have emerged I'd love to hear. I don't want to pay ~ £1,000 for new s/s manifolds or almost that amount for ceramic coating the existing manifolds.
Thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi PB, I went throug the same dilema a couple of years ago when I embarked upon the task of replacing the inner wing heat shields, therefore requiring the removal of the manifolds. I eventually pushed the boat out and bought a set of the ACT stainless manifolds and Y piece. What drove that decision more with me was the fact that when I removed the old manifolds (4.3 Precat) the flanges that mount to the heads wer very flaky and crumbling away (over 20 years of use). I did seriously consider, prior to knowing the state of the flanges, having them grit blasted to remove corrosion and painting them with High Temperature paint. Also it is worth considering another easier option: get manifolds grit blasted clean, then liberally spray with WD40, letting it soak in, then refit, when hot will smoke off but then leave a nice grey deposit! You may have to reapply now and again. The secret of a good key and longevity of any painted exhaust manifold is good preparation and I am afraid grit blasting to clean metal is the answer. Regards, Pete
This is something Ive used that works on cast manifolds anyway- its got a very high metal content (aluminium) so makes a good coating without being porous or turning to dust as all the other VHT paints Ive tried.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autotek-Matt-Silver-Alum...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autotek-Matt-Silver-Alum...
Thanks for the reccy Mark. I looked at the Autotek sister product to the aluminium finish which is a matt black finish and Autotek rates it at 150'C higher again. I've just ordered that now. My intention is to take the manifolds to my local powder coater and get him to grit blast then immediately apply the Autotek VHT then bake it off in his oven. My car has just gone off to the paint shop so I won't be able to do this until a few months time so it will be a while before I can comment on how effective this has been.
Plan B said:
This year I plan to take out the pre-cats and whist the manifolds are removed I am wondering what I can do to improve the appearance of the manifolds/cat. It all looks like a rusting pile of Victorian plumbing and I wondered whether I should put some UHT type paint onto them or put some exhaust wrap (still not pretty) around them.
I've read in past threads over the years that paint hasn't been at all successful with paint that should withstand 1500C flaking off within days however if any new ideas or products have emerged I'd love to hear. I don't want to pay ~ £1,000 for new s/s manifolds or almost that amount for ceramic coating the existing manifolds.
Thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
Have a read of this thread. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...]I've read in past threads over the years that paint hasn't been at all successful with paint that should withstand 1500C flaking off within days however if any new ideas or products have emerged I'd love to hear. I don't want to pay ~ £1,000 for new s/s manifolds or almost that amount for ceramic coating the existing manifolds.
Thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
Excellent paint but you do need to thoroughly clean the manifolds before application, and apply 3 or 4 coats which will only cure fully when you use the car.
Touch up once a year especially near the cylinder heads.
Painted the full exhaust system and its as good as new
Alternatively,
http://www.performance1coatings.com/
Used them for a load of stuff recently. Yet to get the car running yet so can't comment on durability.
http://www.performance1coatings.com/
Used them for a load of stuff recently. Yet to get the car running yet so can't comment on durability.
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