ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Drivetrain => Topic started by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on June 30, 2018, 04:50:51 PM

Title: Refinishing HiPo "headers"/exhaust manifolds
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on June 30, 2018, 04:50:51 PM
Final question for June :) :  The factory HiPo "headers" on the '65 K code I'm re-assemblying from several boxes of parts are in good condition but showing some signs of surface rust and oil stains.  I'd like to know if removing these "blems" by gently working on them in my bead blaster would be correct from a Concourse perspective, and if yes, what would be the proper finish (if any) to apply when they're clean?  Again, thanks for the advice and sorry for this recent flurry of questions.  Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: J_Speegle on June 30, 2018, 10:48:52 PM
Did you look at prior threads on the subject of finishing them? Believe most of the comments would stand the test of time though maybe someone has discovered something new. I'm still sticking with the ceramic that I spray on or the liquid graphite - more the first than the second currently. Where you live, how the car is going to be used and haw and where its stored all come into play


http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=12834.msg78226#msg78226 (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=12834.msg78226#msg78226)

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=8590.msg50309#msg50309

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3687.msg42600#msg42600 (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3687.msg42600#msg42600)

Also don't forget the locks and don't forget to engage them ;)
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on June 30, 2018, 11:07:24 PM
Thanks, Jeff.  Dynamite information.  I'm now thinking of trying one of the Eastwood rattle can products.  Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: J_Speegle on June 30, 2018, 11:38:39 PM
Thanks, Jeff.  Dynamite information.  I'm now thinking of trying one of the Eastwood rattle can products.  Ron

Good luck. Remember its not easy (if it doesn't work out) to fix this sort of thing. So please don't choose the easiest or the cheapest automatically.
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: jwc66k on July 01, 2018, 12:18:25 AM
I'm now thinking of trying one of the Eastwood rattle can products. 
Ron, consider the Eastwood brush on variety.
Jim
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on July 01, 2018, 09:19:52 PM
Jim

What's the advantage of brushing it on as opposed to spraying on 2 or 3 coats with a rattle can with 2-3 days of drying time between coats?  Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: jwc66k on July 02, 2018, 12:56:05 AM
I've gotten better results with brush on vs. spray. Don't get me wrong, I use a lot of "rattle can" paint. Don't spray the insides, it will stink as it burns off.
I have a pair of standard 289 exhaust manifolds in the "to do" pile. One side will be painted with regular Eastwood high temp exhaust brush on paint, the other with Eastwood Stainless high temp brush on paint. I just want to see the difference.
I have used Mckay's Graphite spray in the past, but it doesn't seem to last.
Jim
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: J_Speegle on July 02, 2018, 01:48:03 AM
............ One side will be painted with regular Eastwood high temp exhaust brush on paint, the other with Eastwood Stainless high temp brush on paint. I just want to see the difference.

Should try some of the ceramic paints one day. Though they are more expensive
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on July 02, 2018, 12:57:19 PM
Thanks for all the input everyone.  I went to the Eastwood website just now and am looking at their "Factory Gray Hi-temp Coating" (item#10395Z).  It got 3 out of 5 stars and the 3 who liked it seemed to really like it.  Here's a link to the item on Eastwood's website: https://www.eastwood.com/factory-gray-hi-temp-coating.html.  Please let me know if anyone has used this or has an opinion on it.  I'm not going to order it until I get some opinions here.  Again, this is for the factory exhaust "headers" on my '65 K-code which I need to bead blast and paint to get ride of some surface rust and a few oil stains, etc.  Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: ChrisV289 on July 02, 2018, 01:12:42 PM
Has anyone used this:

http://www.hirschauto.com/Exhaust-And-Manifold-Coatings/departments/13/

my friend did his GTX years ago and still looks new
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: rocket289k on July 02, 2018, 01:16:00 PM
For what it's worth I choose to go the "ceramic coating" route on my exhaust manifolds vs. a paint based solution.  I am very pleased with that decision.  The color of the end product is extremely close to bare cast iron and it's stood up well.  This is powder and bake solution.  An added benefit of using a ceramic coating is reduced heat in the engine compartment. 

Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on July 02, 2018, 01:20:17 PM
Ron

Which ceramic product did you buy and from which vendor?  Do you have a part number and maybe a link to wherever you bought it?  Sounds like something I'll want to look into for my factory headers.  Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: 67350#1242 on July 02, 2018, 01:31:10 PM
I've used Eastwoods stainless steel hi temp coating - similar or same product but a little lighter in color.
Very impressed with results after more than 10 years still look good.
As I recall it was suggested to clean and just wirebrush the manifolds rather than blast for best results but I am sure others have blasted and had fine outcome.
The only suggestion I have is not to stroke it on very thick as brush strokes will show.  You can thin the paint (from the can) A LOT and still have real good coverage with a pass or two - it really doesn't take much paint.  Small foam brush works well.  Dries to a flat sheen that looks natural.
You can air dry then bolt up and run car to cure or perhaps place in hot oven for 30min or so but the fumes are really really bad so wouldn't suggest that unless you have access to oven in well ventilated area.
If you need touch up can often be done while on the car with thinned coat and foam brush.   I think I've
had to do this once or twice in 10 yrs - due to slight discoloration in small areas but not due to any chipping or flaking of the coating.
All in all this is a good product that will keep manifold looking good for many years.  Kurt.
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on July 02, 2018, 01:50:28 PM
Kurt

Is this the Eastwood product you used?

https://www.eastwood.com/silver-hi-temp-coating.html

Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: rocket289k on July 02, 2018, 02:20:04 PM
Ron

Which ceramic product did you buy and from which vendor?  Do you have a part number and maybe a link to wherever you bought it?  Sounds like something I'll want to look into for my factory headers.  Thanks, Ron

Hi there - I farmed out the job to a specialty coating company (I'd have to look up who my mechanic recommended - it was a few years ago).  They specialized in powder coating metals and ceramic coating engine parts.  It wasn't inexpensive (I seem to recall $200).  Having said that they still look like the day I installed them.


Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: MustangAndFairlane1867 on July 02, 2018, 04:17:06 PM
Ron--Thanks, but don't go to the trouble of looking it up.  I'm going to go with the paint and see how it works out.  Thanks, Ron
Title: Re: HiPo "headers"
Post by: 67350#1242 on July 03, 2018, 03:53:20 PM
Quote
Kurt

Is this the Eastwood product you used?

https://www.eastwood.com/silver-hi-temp-coating.html

Thanks, Ron

The product I used was Eastwood's Stainless Steel coating product #10178Z  in 1 pint red labeled can.  I don't see that they currently carry this exact product but is similar to the one in your link.
Produces color similar to freshly blasted surface.  You may also consider the factory gray coating as it seems to be somewhat darker.   
I found my old can and the directions DO recommend blasting the parts.  Thin with mineral spirits.
Kurt.
Title: Re: Refinishing HiPo "headers"/exhaust manifolds
Post by: J_Speegle on July 03, 2018, 10:43:53 PM
Once you get this all worked out don't forget the engine color spray where they meet the head - along with some of the mounting hardware.  This detail can differ from other engines years and models/sizes



NOTE: Moving the thread since the question is not specific to just 65-66's or just Hipo exhaust manifolds but instead to all cast iron exhaust manifolds through the years.  Like the other threads on the subject
Title: Re: Refinishing HiPo "headers"/exhaust manifolds
Post by: jwc66k on July 04, 2018, 12:14:00 AM
On my HiPo exhaust manifolds I use small wire brushes, rinse throughly, dry, then dip them in Evaporust for 24+ hours, rinse, wire brushed more, then repeat the process if necessary. From there I just leave them bare and get the engine paint overlay at top correct, then wipe them down throughly with 3 in 1 oil to inhibit rust on the bare metal surfaces.
I would think the oil would burn off quickly.
I - take them to local machine shop uses wax and heat to remove the old studs.
I used two lock nuts and an oxy-acetylene torch on the studs. Haven't had a problem (yet).
Jim