wilkink

I want to paint my new headers. I just bought a quart of the KBS Hi-Temp Aluminum Paint. I know everyone will recommend the Jet-Hot, but I really feel like I can make these things look good and be effective. Only problem is that I have no clue how to paint the inside of the header without the dip process. The exterior of the header will be easy to remove the standard black paint. How would I be able to strip the paint on the inside of the header, and still be able to have the Hi-Temp paint adhere to it? Any help would be great!

Apeiron

I don't know that I'd bother. Even high-temp paint is only going to last so long on the inside where it's directly in contact with exhaust gas.

GTA Sammy

iTrader: (1)

My brother in law painted his Brand new Hedman Longtubes with 1600* F high temp paint because he knew the original stuff would just burn off.....

Several coats were applied with sufficient time between each and.......

Well within 20 minutes of run time in the driveway the paint had burnt up to a crisp and was floating away down the street in dusty flakes...........

Don't waste your time and $$$

KNBlazer

yeah, why would you want to do that? the outside of the headers, I can understand... less heat in the engine bay and a better tuned engine if running an ECM ... or so I have read...

Gregzz4

As Apeiron said, I wouldn't worry yourself about paint on the inside
Besides the fact you'll never see it and it Will not rot from the inside out,
Hi-temp paint is meant to withstand temperatures on the outside of metal
The exhaust gas on the inside of the headers is Fire Hot, as in it is still possibly flaming
It will bubble and burn the paint off before you get your tires warm and spew ugly crap into your mufflers

wilkink

Alright thanks for the info. For some reason, I bypassed the heat of the exhaust actually inside the header, instead I only thought about the header temperature. Well I bought some KBS Hi-Temp Aluminum Paint for the headers and y-pipe. I'm hoping it will stay on, as a quart of it was 60 bucks. I think as long as I prep the area correctly, I shouldnt have a problem. Thanks again for all the help!

GTA Sammy

iTrader: (1)

When you're all done and everything's painted get back to us and tell us what happens..........

saucy beast

how did the headers turn out and is the paint holding up?, i need to paint my new headers and was just wondering

wilkink

Came out awful. Put the paint on too think, and it didnt "melt" onto the header. I think if it was a thinner coat, this paint would have been great. Think I just messed it up. May redo them in a year or two to make sure they last.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Don't put them on an engine that is going to be fired for the first time!!

If your're putting them on an engine that has ran for awhile & is passed break-in, the " curing " process is somewhat lengthy--local gearhead talk-

" Some guys around here say to let the car run for ~10 mins, turn it off & let cool to ambient temp, do it 2-3 times, then let it run ~15 mins, cool to ambient temp. "

SUPPOSIDLY this cures paint evenly & slowly-- I've never done it so IDK how true it is.

wilkink

On the can it says something like that, yet its 20 minutes of idle, 20 off, 20 minutes of driving.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

After 8 years this is what my spray bombed headers look like.



Can't beat it for $7. The paint is duplicolor 1200 degree exhaust paint.

The trick is all in the prep. Clean well. Clean again. Then clean with denatured alcohol to remove all skin oils. Now only touch them with latex gloves. Apply two LIGHT coats. Let sit at least 48 hours to be safe. Install on engine. Run for 5 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes. Run for 10 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes. Run for 15 minutes. Let COMPLETELY cool. Then you're good to go.

They still look about 90% as good as when they were installed.