Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

[Richard K.]

Many years ago, Greg Ellis wrote an article for the Restorer titled "Concourse Exhaust Manifold Preparation". His preferences, after some experimentation, in order of preference were:

1. Calyx Manifold Dressing
2. Cast Blast 1200
3. Copper spray paint
4. Dry graphite lube
5. Crane Cam Lube

Are there any newer products that are the current thinking?
Also just curious, does anyone bake the manifolds, or apply heat to them by torch, to cure the coating before putting them back on the car?

Thanks much.

[Leif A.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

If the manifolds are off the car, I would recommend ceramic coating. I had mine done 4 years/20,000 miles ago and they still look like the day I put them on.
If on the car, I understand Calyx looks good but can be somewhat messy...never tried it myself.

[Larry E.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

FWIW>Calyx over Ceramic Coating. Larry

[Keith B.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

I can not stand cylax especially after you are done working around the exhaust manifolds and get it all over you and you look like the tin man and the fact you need to touch it up all the time. The POR 15 exhaust manifold holds up very well.

[Richard K.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

Does Calyx dry, or does it stay damp, or sticky?

Leif, I have thought about ceramic, but would have to find a reliable vendor preferably near me (Pittsburgh). Yours look GREAT! Can I ask who did yours?

Thx

[David H.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

Richard

What is manifold's current condition? Are they on or off engine?

I used glass media to sand blast mine. A little effort to remove glass dust.

I used "Dry Slide", a graphite powder suspended in very light oil. Then, with a small folded cotton cloth saturated with this oil/graphite fluid, I rubbed it over manifold. (Dry Slide used to lube motorcycle cables etc).

This light oil soon evaporates, leaving graphite in manifold's cast iron "pores". Appearance is darker than typical cast iron, but surface retains a cast iron look (pores) - NOT A COATED APPEARANCE. Touch up if needed with rag.

Dave

[Dan A.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

I’ve had good luck with Eastwood Factory Gray High Temp Coating. I used it on my manifolds 18 months ago (on the car) and they still look great.

[Richard K.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

Manifolds are off the car, with some frozen bolts that need removed, and need blasted.
These are from a car that was built 3 days from my car so I want to restore them, then switch them out with what's on the car.
So far, I'm liking the ceramic idea, and POR-15 High Temp paint looks intriguing.
thx

[Leif A.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

Does Calyx dry, or does it stay damp, or sticky?

Leif, I have thought about ceramic, but would have to find a reliable vendor preferably near me (Pittsburgh). Yours look GREAT! Can I ask who did yours?

Thx

Richard,
Thank you for the kind words. I'll provide a link for who did mine but they are nowhere near you...Garland, Tx. I'm sure you can find an excellent source in the Steel City.

http://acepowdercoatinggarland.com/index.html

[Tony R.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

Mine was (singular because it's a six) off the car, and it seemed like the hands-down solution was to ceramic coat. I used a local vendor. The exterior is cerakote and the interior is pistonkote. Probably overkill, but i wanted to avoid a rusty manifold.

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[Mike M.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

I agree with dan. I've used Eastwoods paint on over a dozen pairs of manifolds that I've run thru ncrs. most don't get deductions. all last longer than my sorry ass will. mike mccagh

[Frank D.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

I can not stand cylax especially after you are done working around the exhaust manifolds and get it all over you and you look like the tin man and the fact you need to touch it up all the time. The POR 15 exhaust manifold holds up very well.

Its nasty, impermanent stuff and a little water splashed on it washes it off. Requires constant touch up on drvien cars and if you change the plugs and have to work around ignition shielding you cannot avoid getting it all over you. But, its cheap and easy and you can do a credible job applying it with the manifolds on the car and you can touch up and coat hard-to-reach places with a small acid brush.

[Tom E.]

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[Thomas N.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

I like the POR-15 paint myself. I use a small foam brush and lightly brush coat the manifold. I let it dry and apply another coat, mostly to get the areas I missed on the first coat. A little goes a long way.

[Larry E.]

Re: Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

FWIW>Calyx over Ceramic Coating. Larry

Richard:As you can see there is a lot of options to you. I believe ALL will work for you if done correct. I got my
Ceramic Coating done by "Performance Coatings" in Jonesborgh GA.. Nice price and good turnaround. I ask for
the OEM look and they came out OK if I left it like that.(A lighter gray in color) I wanted (Personal Preference)them to look a little more darker
like above(Response #3) so I used Calyx over them and they came out to my liking. I think the key to Calyx is that the manifolds
are prepped well as a Ceramic Coating would do. They have stayed perfect with no "touch" up and are not tacky
at all. I believe the heat cycles made this happen. JMHO>Larry