Rattle Can Ceramic Exhaust Paint - Success?

[MassMustang]

Before I go through the exercise, I was wondering if anyone has used some high temp exhaust paint (with ceramic in it) on their headers and how it's held up.

I picked up a set of used stainless Kooks for a nice deal that I couldn't pass up. They're in nice shape, just the usual stainless discoloration / patina on them. My plan, clean them up with some steel wool and hit them with 3-4 coats of high temp ceramic paint, letting them bake in the sun between coats.

Has anyone done this with success? I'd like to avoid the $150-$200 professional job if possible.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.
Scott T.

 

[JeremyH]

No. Most of those paints require 300-400 degree curing temps as well. Like in an oven etc. I tried it on some shorties and only lasted a few weeks on the car.

 

[travelers]

I went with Swain Coatings on my new ARH headers. Not cheep but really well worth it.

 

[CPRsm]

The VHT paint holds up better than real ceramic. Needs to be sand blasted though. I hit w a propane torch after blasted and cleaned. Torch gets the moisture out and heat into the tubing. Spray on paint and it cures pretty good. Then another coat keeping the tubing hot all while doing it. You can hit the paint w the torch after it goes on. Just give it a second to start to cure or you'll just set it on fire lol. Watch for that in the collector area. When you hit to paint, if the tubing wasn't hot enough, you can see it cure before your eyes in the shade of black change.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

I

The VHT paint holds up better than real ceramic. Needs to be sand blasted though. I hit w a propane torch after blasted and cleaned. Torch gets the moisture out and heat into the tubing. Spray on paint and it cures pretty good. Then another coat keeping the tubing hot all while doing it. You can hit the paint w the torch after it goes on. Just give it a second to start to cure or you'll just set it on fire lol. Watch for that in the collector area. When you hit to paint, if the tubing wasn't hot enough, you can see it cure before your eyes in the shade of black change.

 

[ford20]

I

10/10 would happen.

For the $200 I would send it to Jet Hot to get done.

 

[Kylar]

I

 

[MassMustang]

No. Most of those paints require 300-400 degree curing temps as well. Like in an oven etc. I tried it on some shorties and only lasted a few weeks on the car.

Did you bake the shorties to help cure the paint? Maybe a single mid-length will fit in the oven.

I'll see if I can find someone locally to do coating too. I was googling VHT instructions and some have note it's not safe to use your oven due to toxic residue.

 

[Kylar]

If they are stainless i wouldnt touch them, unless you get them coated by a pro. Any of the paint you can buy will last about 5 minutes, and then end up looking worse then the natural stainless finish. Just my experience.

 

[JeremyH]

Did you bake the shorties to help cure the paint? Maybe a single mid-length will fit in the oven.

I'll see if I can find someone locally to do coating too. I was googling VHT instructions and some have note it's not safe to use your oven due to toxic residue.

Yeah I used a propane grill at 350 and remove the racks. lol
Still didn't work out for me.

 

[CPRsm]

^^^ what paint? We've used the VHT 2000 deg on turbos headers w good success.

 

[MassMustang]

^^^ what paint? We've used the VHT 2000 deg on turbos headers w good success.

Any special process? Did you cure the paint with the headers on the car with 3 heat cycles like VHT recommends?

 

[46Tbird]

About 20 years ago I painted a set of Mustang shorty headers with VHT spray paint, and then cured them in my buddy's apartment oven. It sounded like a good idea at the time.

Holy shit I have never smelled anything that bad before or since. The entire apartment complex had a thick, toxic haze. Explaining what we'd done to the fire department wasn't fun either.

I highly suggest bypassing all the stupid bullshit and just pay extra for a set of coated headers or get yours coated. Trust me.

 

[CPRsm]

Any special process? Did you cure the paint with the headers on the car with 3 heat cycles like VHT recommends?

Nope. Install, hit transbrake? Lol
Just blast, clean w carb spray/brake clean. Torch to get up to temp. You will literally see the moisture come out of the tubing. Doesn't need to be red hot. Hit it w paint and watch it dry. After applyinging the paint hit again w heat. If it wasn't hot enough you will see it dry from the flame, kinda like you saw w the moisture being drawn out. Very simple process. Repeat till completely black. Idk if other colors work as well
3 step process might be for an average Joe w no torch?

 

[MassMustang]

So far, it's about $400 for professional ceramic coating (local or Jet Hot).

VHT is looking like a pretty good option right now.

 

[CPRsm]

Just did another turbo yesterday. Quite being a bitch and COME ON lol.

 

[MassMustang]

Just did another turbo yesterday. Quite being a bitch and COME ON lol.

Yeah, I know. I'll start with cleaning them up. I doubt I'll get it done this weekend though. Just wanted to give everyone an idea on the cost.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

I'd find another company that does ceramic coating. $400 seems high to me considering I had my JBA long tubes coated last year for $200.

 

[MassMustang]

I'd find another company that does ceramic coating. $400 seems high to me considering I had my JBA long tubes coated last year for $200.

Did they have to sand blast or were the JBAs brand new? That's ceramic, not powder coating, correct? I got quotes from Jet-Hot and a local shop. I'm waiting on a few others.

I'd do it for $200, but $400 is crazy.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

Yeah that's ceramic coating, and I bought the headers used. Not sure if they needed to sand blast or not