
The high-temperature paint is perfect for any hot surface. Automotive and other fireplaces have special surfaces that accept only high heat paints. But when we talk about headers, they also need high-quality, high heat paint that can stay on the header surface at 2000 degrees temperature without fading, cracking, and chipping.
What kind of paint to use on headers?
Welcome to the world of header paint. There are only three coatings that work on headers. High temp ceramic (HPC, Jet Hot, etc), porcelain, or aluminum sprayed. Welcome to the world of header paint. There are only three coatings that work on headers. High temp ceramic (HPC, Jet Hot, etc), porcelain, or aluminum sprayed.
Can I use high temp engine paint on exhaust?
Don’t just use high-temp engine paint on exhaust parts, it’s not high-temp enough! I picked up a can of primer and another of black VHT Flameproof coating at my local auto store.
Can you paint exhaust headers on a small block Chevy?
With Studie’s Small Block Chevy (SBC) looking so good, I could hardly just bolt my exhaust headers on. Sure, I painted them years back when I got to join in the process of making them, but with as hot as exhaust gets and as many miles as I’ve put on Stude you can’t expect that paint to last forever.
How many coats of paint will it take to coat headers?
8oz will coat a set of shorty headers with 2 coats. Pint will coat a set of full-size headers with 2 coats. Pint will coat a complete automotive exhaust system with 2 coats. Size Jet Black, Cast Iron Grey, Charcoal Metallic Pure White, Off-White, Pontiac Metallic Blue Flame Blue, Clear Aluminum, Pure White Rocket Red, Stainless Steel 12oz Aerosol

Will high temp paint work on exhaust?
XTC is a high temperature/heat resistant automotive exhaust paint designed to protect metal surfaces operating at temperatures from 500° F to 1500° F.
Will paint stay on headers?
High-Temperature Silicone Coating header Spray Paint Once you apply this paint to your engine's header, you can trust that it will remain put and unchanged for longer. This happens even when the pipes or tubes go up to a temperature of 1500°F.
How do you get paint to stick to headers?
2:0215:16How to Ceramic Paint Your Headers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo all that would be doing is using a 3m scuff pad or scotch brite or anything like that we're goingMoreSo all that would be doing is using a 3m scuff pad or scotch brite or anything like that we're going to go over the entire thing just to give it a slightly rough texture.
What is the best coating for headers?
Ceramic Coated HeadersCeramic Coated Headers are the best option for performance and durability. Most people like the way they look and the finish will last longer than paint.
How hot do headers get?
Most people would like to know how hot do headers get on motorcycles. Just like those headers of ordinary cars, the headers of the motorcycles can actually get over 1000 degrees. However, the muffler can get up to 500 degrees.
Is it good to wrap headers?
Header Wrap keeps the heat in the pipes. This improves exhaust flow and The Scavenging Effect. It also lowers underhood temps. Wrapped headers will make a little more Torque and Horsepower than a bare metal set.
What is the best paint for exhaust?
Since exhaust pipes reach a high temperature, they require paint that has high resistant towards high heat and temperature. This is why we've categorized here Rust-Oleum High Heat Spray along with its complete application.
Can I ceramic coat my headers?
Coating your headers in ceramic improves their heat resistance, and keeps them from being tarnished or damaged by the heat. In other words, ceramic coated headers look (and function) the same on mile one as they do on mile 300,000.
How do you prepare a rusty header for painting?
1:1611:52How to Restore Rusty Headers: Part 1 - Fixing Smokey's Exhaust - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI used dawn dish detergent to break down the OL.MoreI used dawn dish detergent to break down the OL.
How do I stop my header from rusting?
Paint is the most common way to prevent rust in every application from bicycles to aircraft carriers. If you paint your exhaust parts with a high temperature paint and then wrap them, the rust issue will either be reduced or completely eliminated. Header paint is available at many auto parts stores.
How much heat can ceramic coating take?
Ceramic is incredibly heat resistant, and it can withstand temperatures of 2,000 degrees Celsius, or 3,800 degrees Fahrenheit. ITC ceramic coatings can withstand up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why it's called high temp ceramic coating.
How hot do ceramic coated headers get?
It can run up to 400 to 500 degrees if you were running a steady 65 MPH. I measured the temps on my ceramic coated headers a while back using an infrared gun type thermometer. Singles were in the 550 range; the pair at 3/5 and 4/6 were around 675. This was after normal driving and while idling.
How do you paint headers last?
0:532:59How To Coat Headers With High Temperature Paint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt includes a quick prep using dupa colors prep spray make sure to use some type of shop towel toMoreIt includes a quick prep using dupa colors prep spray make sure to use some type of shop towel to wipe it all down. Now we can apply VH T's flat gray flame proof primer.
Are ceramic coated headers worth it?
Are ceramic coatings worth it? An average coating job will cost between $200 and $300 for a set of headers. In the end, this is well worth the cost. You will see performance gains, reduce costly damage, and get a look that will last a long time.
Should you paint stainless steel headers?
Stainless steel is a nonporous, durable surface, ill-suited for paint adhesion. If you apply paint directly over under-prepared stainless steel, you will end up with rapid paint failure. You must condition the exhaust with a special aesthetic primer, capable of etching steel surfaces.
Why do headers rust?
The main reason exhaust wrap can cause premature rust is because it holds moisture. If you're cleaning your engine bay, go ahead and put a plastic bag over your wrapped headers - the cleaning supplies won't do much to clean the exhaust wrap anyways.
What temperature do you bake ceramic headers at?
The ceramic coating is a liquid like the paint but they cycle the headers thru two bakings at 750 degrees and the prep work is alittle more extensive.
How to clean scuffed up headers?
Now that the headers are scuffed up they need to be cleaned before they can get painted use soapy water for this step. I wiped mine down with damp paper towels because I had no grease to remove. Make sure to dry the headers thoroughly.
How long to wait to apply a final coat of a sandpaper?
Wait 10 minutes and apply a thick final coat.
Can I paint inside a spray booth?
Painting a light first coat helps the paint stick better. I painted mine in a makeshift spray booth that only has 2 sides . I would suggest doing this outside, but when it is -20 degrees, painting inside works better. Make sure you have a well ventilated area.
Can I use wire hangers for headers?
I made some hooks to hang the header on for painting and baking. Any wire coat hanger will work.
Does Duplicolor hold up on turbo down pipe?
It is really great stuff. It even held up on a Toyota Supra turbo down pipe that I fabricated.
Why is XTC primer used?
XTC is ideal for exterior applications because it resists rust when primedwith XTC Primer. XTC Primer provides the rust protection.
What is XTC coating?
XTC is a high temperature/heat resistant coating formulated specifically to protect metal surfaces operating at temperatures from 500°F (260°C) to 1500°F (812°C).
Can you use XTC on high temperature appliances?
Asked by: susie - 9/5/2013. A: Yes, you can use XTC on high temperature (above 500 degrees F.) appliances as long as you can heat cure the appliance surface which allows XTC to reach it's maximum cure. Be sure to check out the heat cure process in the XTC Directions.
What color paint should I use for headers?
I used a ceramic color (light gray) paint rated at 1500*F and designed for headers. I had them sandblasted first, then I washed them & dried them for a day in the sun, before painting them.
Can you paint headers on a car?
Gotta agree w/ all the above. Headers are pretty expensive and as you know a real pain to take off and on. There is no paint that do a satisfactory job on them. That stuff was developed in the early 60s to paint gasser headers that were totally accessible and came off the car every week anyway. I have found over the years that the most cost effective thing to do is shell out for the metallic/ceramic coating. Headers NEVER need any attention after that and last forever. You can powder coat the rest of the exhaust system and it too will outlast your interest in the car. PC can be used on everything except the header itself.
Is VHT paint passable?
Prepped the same way and bubbled on fire up like you described, flaked off a little while later. VHT is barely passable, as is John Deere Muffler paint. True ceramic such as Nitroplate, JetHot, etc. is the only way to get any lasting results.
Can you polish chromex with glass beads?
They are far superior to hi temp paints. If you are lazy you can even polish them in a bead blaster with glass beads at 10-20psi to a nice cast aluminum look. The coating has no strength till cured at 500-700F. I bought my Chromex from an online electroplating company.
What was used to clean the headers on a SBC engine?
The heat just bakes grease on to the metal – so plenty of degreaser, wire brushes, then wire wool, and finally sandpaper were used to get my SBC’s headers clean enough and ready to paint ( the clean version is seen above .)
Can you put headers on an engine?
When putting headers on an engine it can be difficult to get everything aligned – often you get one or two bolts on and the others won’t line up. Having the engine standing alone rather than in a car makes this easier, but it still takes some finesse to do.
Can you drop a header gasket in?
The style of gasket I used can just drop in while there’s still a space between the header and engine. Make sure you face it with the front of the gasket in the correct direction, as it is supposed to matter on these. Header gaskets which are all in one piece must be put on before getting bolts in – as headers can be a little heavy and precarious to hold, having a second set of hands may help in that case.
Do you put header gaskets on before bolts?
Header gaskets which are all in one piece must be put on before getting bolts in – as headers can be a little heavy and precarious to hold, having a second set of hands may help in that case. With the headers in, I needed to get the waterpump on.
