Author Topic: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?  (Read 12931 times)

Offline 65pon

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Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« on: May 18, 2014, 11:48:56 PM »
Hey All,

I'm about to fit new repop HiPo manifolds to my car.
I don't want them to turn rusty brown in the future.
What's the best method/product to maintain the grey cast iron look?
Thanks,
Ben

Offline Rsanter

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2014, 03:48:37 AM »
They make a ceramic coating that looks a lot like natural cast iron

Bob
Bob

66 mustang GT conv 289 AT deluxe int - high school car
66 mustang conv 289 -3x2v-4spd deluxe int
68 mustang conv basket case
69 mustang conv 302 AT
66 mustang coupe hotrod/racecar

Offline Twilight65

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2014, 08:43:33 AM »
+1 on the ceramic coating, have used stainless coating from Eastwood on one car and ceramic on my other, always having to touch up the stainless coating but ceramic looks like the day it was put on.
Dave
65 Coupe Dearborn Scheduled Build July 9,1965 289/C4
66 Sprint Conv. Dearborn Scheduled Build May 13, 1966 200/C4

Offline 67gtasanjose

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2014, 09:12:14 AM »
... but ceramic looks like the day it was put on.
Dave
Eastwood or another brand?
Richard Urch

1967 (11/2/66, S.J.) GTA Luxury Coupe, 289-4V w/Thermactor Emissions, C-4, Int./Ext. Decor +many options

2005 (04/05) GT Premium Convertible, Windveil Blue, Parchment Top w/Med. Parchment interior,  Roush Body Appointments

Offline Twilight65

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2014, 11:56:20 AM »
Hey Ben,
I misspoke I didn't mean ceramic I meant powder coated. I had a local shop do the gray powder coating and still looks like the day I picked them up (about 5000 miles put on car since). Cost me around $100.
Dave
65 Coupe Dearborn Scheduled Build July 9,1965 289/C4
66 Sprint Conv. Dearborn Scheduled Build May 13, 1966 200/C4

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2014, 06:33:46 PM »
To me you can always tell if something is power coated since it normally adds to the thickness and reduces the details

The spray ceramic paints have done well for me so far - before that liquid graphite
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline lancelot66

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2014, 07:32:23 PM »
That's a very good observation and point to bring up Jeff. This is such a timely subject post for me here too. I was out in the garage yesterday, working on our left side manifold I bought used awhile back. The date code is better than what I'd obtained and put on there previously and this new(old) one is almost ready to go now except for the final finish. I too have wondered what would be best to use. The FoMoCo rectangle particularly was what I had the most concerns about, filling in too much with either ceramic or powder coating. We have a pretty good powder coater out here by us too.  I have this little half pint of POR manifold gray I had been saving for this project but I may look into a high temp ceramic spray, now that you've brought that up. I like being able to look in there at shows, in the sunshine when it's just right, and see that little rectangle, knowing it's like it ought to be. Simple pleasures and the satisfaction you feel that kinda embarrasses, sharing it sometimes...

There's still time for a good decision though cause I haven't pulled and prepped the driver's side yet!

-Lance
1-6-66
San Jose Fastback
Owned 27 years
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SJ Build Date: 1/6
'66 Fstbk: 63A M 25 06A 71 1 6
Many Original Options

Offline lancelot66

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2014, 07:37:35 PM »
Correction, please forgive:

Yesterday's effort involved the right (passenger) side! Hard to forget when you're working that long to drill out a snapped off heat riser stud and install a new one....Might be the allergies again or something acting up....

-Lance
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SJ Build Date: 1/6
'66 Fstbk: 63A M 25 06A 71 1 6
Many Original Options

Offline dave6768

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2014, 10:40:02 PM »
I have had great success with Bill Hirsch paint.  Sand blast, clean, paint, cure at 400 degrees for 4 hours.  My first set was done 12 years ago and I have probably 10,000 miles on them.  Still look great.

I just did a second set about two months ago, have ~ 50 miles on the and they still look new  ;D

Offline 67gtasanjose

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2014, 07:01:05 AM »
I have had great success with Bill Hirsch paint.  Sand blast, clean, paint, cure at 400 degrees for 4 hours.  My first set was done 12 years ago and I have probably 10,000 miles on them.  Still look great.

I just did a second set about two months ago, have ~ 50 miles on the and they still look new  ;D
Did you use the rattle cans or the pints?
Richard Urch

1967 (11/2/66, S.J.) GTA Luxury Coupe, 289-4V w/Thermactor Emissions, C-4, Int./Ext. Decor +many options

2005 (04/05) GT Premium Convertible, Windveil Blue, Parchment Top w/Med. Parchment interior,  Roush Body Appointments

Offline 65pon

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2014, 04:09:33 PM »
Has anyone had any success with the Duplicolor "High Heat" ceramic paint?
http://www.summitracing.com/dom/parts/shw-dh1614/overview/

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2014, 06:11:05 PM »
Has anyone had any success with the Duplicolor "High Heat" ceramic paint?
http://www.summitracing.com/dom/parts/shw-dh1614/overview/

Would not expect much from a $10 rattle can. Also don't think I would want to add an additional layer of paint on the manifolds by applying a primer

Just me
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline jwc66k

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2014, 06:42:29 PM »
Just for reference, I painted the exhaust manifolds on my 66 "K" Fastback about two years ago with Eastwood Stainless Steel Coating Hi Temp 1200F brush on paint and here are a couple of pictures. I've tried McKay Graphite Spray that looks good but doesn't last.
Jim
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Offline lancelot66

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2014, 06:57:53 PM »
You're exactly right Jim. I was trying to remember what I'd used several years ago on ours and it was the McKay Graphite Spray. It's starting to let some rust through finally but appearance-wise, it stayed gray powdery in color & texture but looks pretty shabby now, especially compared to your Hi-Po. That would be another great option to consider, looks great!
-Lance
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SJ Build Date: 1/6
'66 Fstbk: 63A M 25 06A 71 1 6
Many Original Options

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: Best finish for cast iron exhaust manifolds?
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2014, 11:22:32 PM »
Jet hot is longest lasting and least amount of maintenance IMO but is a little pricy. It has a similar finish to the others which is to say it still looks painted.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby