ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: john_simms on October 20, 2011, 07:42:27 PM

Title: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: john_simms on October 20, 2011, 07:42:27 PM
Is there a preferred method or procedure for refurbishing cast iron parts such as a generator bracket and also a procedure for preserving hot cast parts such as exhaust manifolds?

Thanks.

John
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 20, 2011, 07:49:16 PM
For cast iron parts, I first soak in evaporust to see how they turn out.  Sometimes they are good enough to put a protective coating on and use as-is.  Otherwise, blast with glass bead, nothing too rough that etches the surface bad.  Once they are clean, do a quick 15-30s dunk in manganese phosphate.  This will darken the metal just enough so they don't look like they were just blasted.  After that, soak in oil for 24 hours, wipe/clean and install.
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: Twilight65 on October 20, 2011, 07:51:24 PM
John,
Not sure about the cast generator bracket, but I used Eastwoods Stainless Steel coating on my exhaust manifolds after blasting and they still look good 4 years later and about 4000 miles on the motor. Just maybe a touch up here or there every once in a while.

Dave
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: jwc66k on October 21, 2011, 12:28:46 AM
I've use McKay Graphite Spray in the distant past on exhaust manifolds after bead blasting. It left a darker metallic finish that looked great but after a year or so the manifolds got a bit rusty. Currently I use Eastwood Factory Gray Hi-Temp brush-on paint and that seems to last longer and looks better.
Jim
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 21, 2011, 12:54:17 AM
Ceramic coating on exhaust manifolds is a great finish that holds up very well.
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: Bob Gaines on October 21, 2011, 01:38:32 AM
Jet hot works very well too . Bob
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: john_simms on October 21, 2011, 06:25:45 PM
Thanks all for the information.  Sounds like I will be able to come up with a viable solution.

John
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: 68 S Code on November 08, 2011, 04:45:28 PM
Here is a pic of the ceramic coating that was mentioned earlier. I hear it will last for a loooong time.
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: livetoride60 on November 22, 2013, 12:08:12 PM
Ceramic coating on exhaust manifolds is a great finish that holds up very well.

Old post but....Are you all talking about a professional shop ceramic coating, or a high-temp paint containing ceramic, like VHT Flame Proof spray paint?  Looking to do my exhaust manifolds soon.  If the latter, did you use high temp primer too?
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: Bob Gaines on November 22, 2013, 04:23:58 PM
Old post but....Are you all talking about a professional shop ceramic coating, or a high-temp paint containing ceramic, like VHT Flame Proof spray paint?  Looking to do my exhaust manifolds soon.  If the latter, did you use high temp primer too?
There ar a number of companies that do the high grade heat coating on exhaust manifolds. Do not be fooled into thinking it will look like anything but painted. Cast iron color but painted.  http://www.jet-hot.com/ is best IMO others will have different. The VHT is at the lowest end of the spectrum. It will not last very long . Other types of DIY products will have varying better degrees of longevity. I guess it depends also on the how long you want them to last and how much you are willing to spend. If you don't care what they look like next year when the car is sold then the VHT is the economical choice. Eastwood and others sell good products that are at least twice as good as VHT but they cost more too. The last time I sent Jet hot some exhaust manifolds it was about 250.00 for the set to do but it will last forever. They may be more now . They are the most expensive I think. Unlike a SB which are a pain to get on and off the BB ones are a royal pain and you only want to take them off once  ;). So the money was worth it to me for that particular situation so I would never have to deal with it again. 20 years so far and still no rust no flakes etc.  I have also used the other products and as long as you do not have unrealistic expectations they are fine depending on the situation.
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: J_Speegle on November 22, 2013, 08:44:26 PM
For the exhaust manifolds - like others have used the Graphite and Ceramic coating with success. The graphite sometimes requires so reapplication depending on the usage. For the non high heat parts I've used (one the part is clean) RustMort or Graphite to get the color back to looking fresh after the cleaning - then oiling it just like any other Phosphate and oil piece.

Do have a friend testing the new Never Wet product to see how it will hold up on bare metal to the elements (think he has the part nailed to a fence for the winter to test ;)

Good thing is that there are a number of paths to the result your looking for ;)
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: livetoride60 on November 22, 2013, 09:22:25 PM
Thanks all.  I see these nice dark exhaust manifolds on show cars and wonder how they did it.  Of course, they may not start them either.  :)

http://www.jet-hot.com/ is best IMO others will have different.

Looked at Jet Hot Bob.  Do you remember what product and color you used?  I'd be looking for a concourse type look.

Looking at http://www.jet-hot.com/coatings/jet-hot-extreme-1300/ maybe the medium gray or just satin?  Assuming that's satin clear? 

Thanks,
Rich
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: Bob Gaines on November 23, 2013, 03:58:27 PM
Thanks all.  I see these nice dark exhaust manifolds on show cars and wonder how they did it.  Of course, they may not start them either.  :)

Looked at Jet Hot Bob.  Do you remember what product and color you used?  I'd be looking for a concourse type look.

Looking at http://www.jet-hot.com/coatings/jet-hot-extreme-1300/ maybe the medium gray or just satin?  Assuming that's satin clear? 

Thanks,
Rich
The NOS exhaust mainfolds I have had or do have now are closer to the dark gray. A freshly bead blasted cast iron part will be much lighter in shade then a cast iron part fresh out of the mold. I think I have used the medium and dark gray both in the past.
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: suskeenwiske on November 23, 2013, 06:23:04 PM
I took my Exhaust Manifold, (6-Cylinder), to my local machine shop. After removing all of the oil and grime, they bead blasted it...looked great and cost me just $55.00. I then painted it using Eastwood Factory Gray High Temp Paint to prevent it from flash rusting. The color is medium gray in appearance, (the photo is far lighter than it actually is), and on my last Mustang, lasted about three years before it needed some touchup.

Ray
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: hopeto on October 16, 2014, 09:28:34 AM
Has anyone tried the POR-15 High Temp Manifold Gray? http://www.por15.com/HIGH-TEMP_p_104.html (http://www.por15.com/HIGH-TEMP_p_104.html)
What were your results?
Thanks
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: drummingrocks on October 16, 2014, 12:27:33 PM
Has anyone tried Calyx manifold dressing from Eastwood?  I've seen it advertised before (of course, the ads promise the moon), but have never heard from anyone who has used it.

http://www.eastwood.com/calyx-manifold-coating.html
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: J_Speegle on October 16, 2014, 09:34:06 PM
Bought some - could not bring myself to use it on any of my build yet. Too much hassle to redo if it didn't work
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: lancelot66 on October 17, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Same reason exactly that I didn't use my $20 can (really teenie one) of POR Manifold Gray yet Jeff. Just don't want to spend time re-doing stuff right now, especially with all the hassle of removal and re-install of manifolds with the engine still in the car. Thermactor equipment too, etc, etc. Losing my nerve moreso these days...
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: hopeto on October 23, 2014, 06:56:45 PM
Side by side comparison of POR 15 and Eastwood
I'm getting ready to do a set of HiPo manifolds and wanted to compare first. The test manifold (not Ford - LOL) was blasted with a combination of black grit and glass in the center area. You can see the area that was blasted but not treated with either product above and to the right of the marked lines. The POR 15 looks very, very close to the color of the manifold after blasting, but is the lighter Eastwood product more appropriate? I have my opinion. What's your's?
Thanks, Jimmy
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp75/hopeto/exmanifold2_zps4c228afd.jpg) (http://s399.photobucket.com/user/hopeto/media/exmanifold2_zps4c228afd.jpg.html)
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp75/hopeto/exmanifold1_zpsec4608f0.jpg) (http://s399.photobucket.com/user/hopeto/media/exmanifold1_zpsec4608f0.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: jwc66k on October 23, 2014, 08:22:57 PM
Spray some water on your samples and let's see.
Jim
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: J_Speegle on October 23, 2014, 09:00:37 PM
................. I have my opinion. What's your's?


Don't think you should be comparing to newly blasted cast iron - that's not the look that would have been original. The Eastwood I used on one of the cars was a darker version than you show - much closer IMHO to bare fresh cast steel. Neither of the ones you show would be acceptable to me
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: hopeto on October 23, 2014, 09:44:50 PM
I hope I didn't imply that the POR 15 resembling the freshly blasted manifold was correct. I don't know. That's why I'm asking what color is closer to what it should be. Is there an Eastwood product other than the one I'm showing available. If neither is acceptable, what is?
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 24, 2014, 08:26:08 AM
Believe you would be best served having the original manifold(s) ceramic coated in a dark gray cast appearance.  The guy that used to do this for me said I'd be pushing up daisies by the time they needed to be re-coated.   ;D
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: livetoride60 on October 24, 2014, 01:27:28 PM
I blasted and used the Eastwood high temp coating on a straight 6 exhaust manifold.  It started showing rust spots in short order after use.  Just my experience.  A friend thought I didn't apply heavy enough.  I read that others have had good luck with it.

Regardless, like Charles, I'm going with a dark gray ceramic coating now.  Nothing but good reviews from what I've seen.

A few related threads:

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3687.msg42626#msg42626
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=6110.msg34540#msg34540
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=8590.0
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: J_Speegle on October 24, 2014, 07:58:14 PM
I purchased a quart of ceramic paint for exhaust manifolds and used it on the last four or more cars I've done or helped with. Enough left int he can for another 10 or more cars. Looks good so far
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: hopeto on October 24, 2014, 09:00:06 PM
Jeff, What brand?
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: J_Speegle on October 25, 2014, 04:04:38 PM
Jeff, What brand?

Will look for the can - hopefully I didn't leave it with the last client, at their shop
Title: Re: Cast Iron Part Restoration
Post by: priceless on October 25, 2014, 08:17:34 PM
I've used Eastwoods exhaust paint, the brush-on, over the past 15 or so years and never had any trouble or had to do touch up.

The Eastwood paint was applied with a brush back in 2008 when I had the original engine rebuilt. And before that, these same manifolds were done 9 years earlier. I have been very pleased with the results. 

This photo was taken at night in my garage with the flash.