Swapping out the headers for stock manifolds..clearance issues. Looking for the correct prep and technique. I'd like it to look nice for a while. Cheers!
Eastwood paint is pretty good. 1 pint is plenty. The cleaner the better... but perfection not required. If I could have sandblasted mine that would have been perfect but it's not required.
Blasted mine then painted with VHT Flameproof paint. Had to cure the paint according to the instructions on the can. Seems to be holding up well.
I had mine ceramic coated in a color called titanium. Looks like fresh cast iron. It was expensive- $250
I had my ‘69 GTO manifolds coated recently and was very happy. The cost was $150 plus shipping (shipping was $32 each way). They look great but I haven’t restarted the engine since installing them. They said their product is rated to 1800 degrees and after doing hundreds of sets, none have come back. SS STRIPPING/CDS PERFORMANCE 36870 Metro Ct, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 (586) 268-5799 They also have a Facebook page under the name of SS Stripping I spoke to Chris and he was prompt and professional. He sent me photos of my manifolds after they arrived, he also sent me a video of each manifold after it was coated to make sure I approved before I paid him. Total time was 3 weeks even during the peak of the Covid-19 which caused slower than normal shipping times. I shipped them out from TN on Friday afternoon 5/22/20 and they were back in my hands on Friday 6/12/20. I'm a very satisfied customer.
I soaked mine in 9:1 water/feed grade molasses for a week to derust. Then washed with dawn, clear water rinsed, used prep-all while they were wet and a heat gun to dry to avoid flash rusting. Then I used VHT "cast iron" let them dry for a day, VHT "satin clear", then (using gloves to keep oil off) bolted them on and did the recommended run/cool cycles to cure the paint. I have had them like this almost two years, and about 6,000 miles, they did change color a tiny bit at first, but they look natural and have not changed any more.
Chris at SS Stripping just called it cast iron. Here is exactly what I sent them (top) and what I got back (bottom). I had blasted the manifolds about 15 years ago but did not blast them again before sending them to be coated in 2020.
When I had my headers coated they told me don't bother sandblasting them as they have to do it again anyway. They want to be sure there are no residual oils from handling them before they coat them.
Ceramic coating is my preferred method. Attached are images of my current manifolds, before and after coating, as well as a shot of my previous 72 GS which had the manifolds coated about 10 years ago.
I've been using an Eastwood product called Calyx for many years to make manifolds look new again. It does require touch up from time to time but is cheaper than the more permanent processes. And, on manifolds that have aged this product will put them back in new shape again without removing them from the motor. Just rub in, let set and buff off. And, believe it or not, Calyx is only a repackaging of Crane Cams 99002 cam assembly lube. Believe it.
thanks, they look nice , very close to the cast look , ss striping is about 50 miles from me , so will probably take them too them ,I have used the slip plate graphite , works well to , needs touch up occasionally , it does touch up easy ,
I used the POR 15 hi temp manifold paint. Casting was sandblasted first, cleaned with lacquer thinner, then painted. It stunk during the first heat cycle then was fine. I put about 300 miles on it and the center two ports are showing rust spots.