VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood Paint exhaust manifold

What's the best, long lasting paint for my 235 exhaust manifold? Maybe rusty burned off looks original here, but not too pretty. But I have seen stories, and half peeled off fake doesn't look pretty either. Some restorers have worked hard, then manifold paint starts to peel off after a month or a year. I'll paint the intake engine color.

What current product really looks good and stays? How is the best way to clean and prep? Can it be done with a rust remover chemical, if I can't get to a sand blaster.

What about that high heat filler sold by some, to put on first?

46 Panel; It's all in the prep. Sandblast, scuff with red scotchbrite to get any sand particles out and first clean with solvent wax and grease remover then waterborne w&g remover. I have had two exhaust maniflods ceramic coated in the "cast colour" one original for my 216 and one vette split exhaust for my 235. I would do both the intake and exhaust in ceramic. It will last as long as you will ever want. i have yet to see a paint that looks good after a couple years. But if you decide to paint them the prep is the most important. The same as any quality paint job. You should be able to get both pieces ceramic coated for 300 to 350. Its well worth the expense.

Hi 46 Aero,

You mention "ceramic coated." Is that the same as "powder coated" ??? Or are they two different processes?? I've heard both terms and I'm just curious....

As for painting exhaust manifolds, I suppose I'm in the majority. I've painted 2 and they definitley didn't look good for very long at all. Pretty discouraging.

I'm thinking if I ever decide to do anything about making an exhaust manifold look good, I'll go with powder (ceramic ??) coating. I like the idea of once and done.

Bill.

I used Eastwood's manifold paint after wire brushing my old manifold. Looked good at first, but the rust bled through. I then had the manifold grit blasted super clean and the Eastwood product held up very well. A little goes a long way, and it brushes on and levels out very nicely. I have touched up a spot or two and you cannot see the repair.

Bottom line...prep and cleanliness is everything!

Coach

I would never paint a manifold again! I used a jet hot coating it was well worth it!
John

Bill; The guy that did mine advertises as ceramic coat. Its not powder coat as you and I know it. It's alot more durable then powdercoat. I'll stop by and see him and ask some questions. I know he has done alot of work for RM Classic cars on some of their rare restorations. The pieces are coated inside and out and there isn't alot of mil build up as everything fit great. Give me a few days and I will get more info for you. Shoot me your email addy and I'll send you some pics of the Vette split exhaust.
Cheers!!

46 Aero,

As I mentioned in the PM I sent with my email address, this is just another one of the many ideas I don't understand in the old car hobby. Whoa is me. I'll be interested to hear what you find out. NO big hurry. Not something I'm working on at this exact moment, etc.

Take care.

Bill.

Here's a little follow-up. I tried Calyx Manifold Dressing (type that in Google, you'll find it) about a year ago now and it is great stuff. Gives the cast look you want, stays soft, won't burn off or crack, and real easy to redo a few spots if you need to. Great stuff.

This fresh cast look is maybe not "original", since the whole assembled engine, including both manifolds, was painted gray at the factory. But before long, with a little run time, they turned white, burnt, then rusty, and probably many burnt or rust spots and not too pretty before they were even first sold. So, this is my favorite "new" compromise. Easy, pretty, looks really right to most folks, way better than rusty.

I've driven about 1000 miles with it on. Only problem is when wash truck and water gets on (drips thru hood hinge), and let set a few days after, some little rust spots form. Probably because I didn't rub in the Calyx real good at first. But only takes about 10 minutes to make look like new again, right there on the engine, not unbolt the manifold. I've just learned to start up engine after wash, so manifold dries off quickly. Looks like new a year later.