Ok, I found the edelbrock headers I was looking at in summit in a Chrome plated version. Is this supposed to work like a ceramic/JET-HOT coating? Or is it just to make them look nice? Does it somehow protect against it rusting out or something? Thanks.

 

chrome won't get you home.....

 

The chrome will bubble and flake off eventually. The problem is that the chrome doesent stop the metal from rusting.

 

Thanks guys, kinda figured it was just something to get them sold.

 

ceramic is better, chrome won't last

 

Chrome is a very hard, bright metal that does not corrode as does steel. It does not, however, adhere well to steel. Likes nickel better, and nickel likes steel better than chrome does. So, you typically have to put a nickel layer on the steel before you chrome plate.

If the steel isn't very carefully prepared before the plating process starts, the plating will not stay on when it is exposed to heat and corrosion-promoting substances such as salt. That's why the bubble/flaking comments. It will also tend to turn blue/brown when exposed to high heat and oxygen (i.e., air).

Except for the bright surface, chrome does not insulate heat.

Ceramic coating, on the other hand, is tough (doesn't chip easily), protects against corrosion, doesn't change color with heat, and insulates heat better than any other anti-corrosion substance. That's why it has become so popular. If the tubes are well-polished before the coating, it will be fairly shiny as well.