Exhaust manifolds. Paint? Coating(s)?

[James W.]

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

Way back in 1981 when I was seventeen and finshing the restoration on my '64, I used a high temp manifold paint of some kind and did as Tom did and baked them on my patents gas grill at 500+ degrees. I think the key to getting a good, long lasrting finish is the surface prep. I took mine to our local funeral/headstone business and had them sand blasted to a white metal finish. Then applied the paint in light coats and baked them on the grill at 500+ degrees for an hour or so. They are still holding up great.

James

[Michael J.]

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

I've always just had them bead blasted and painted them like the factory did, so that you get the right burn-off for judging.

[Tony S.]

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

I use Pre-Lube 6. Works well. Tony

[David H.]

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

Richard

Attached is close-up of exhaust manifold surface using "Dry Slide" graphite. That surface you can see, it does not appear "coated".

Dave

Manifold Surface Graphite.jpg

[Richard K.]

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

Thanks to all. I love the pics of your cars & equipment. You've been a great help.

My engine compartment was completed some time ago and the manifolds are just starting to show rust. I used a dry graphite spray on them when they were off the car, and they've only been exposed to the air in my garage. For their heat-curing they've only been through the engine break-in process. I just think that showing a little rust ruins the overall "beauty" of the restored compartment. IMHO.

I'm leaning toward the Por-15, and baking it on. Mostly because the process can all be done at my house, and at lower cost.

Thanks again

[Richard G.]

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

I too am a fan of Por-15
Here is a picture of a set that was completed 20 years before the motor was started.
IMG_4264.jpg
They still look almost that good after the motor has been running for a couple years.
I will admit they have less than 500 miles on them.

[Jim L.]

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

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.

This posting put a smile on my face.

Back in the day, copper paint (with 7% solids) was the "hot ticket", as it were. There were no other high temp coatings available.

So I bead blasted my exhaust manifolds and painted them with copper.

I can't vouch for how long the coating will last, though. That was only 40 years ago.


101_9066.jpg

101_9067.jpg

[Terry M.]

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

Like Tony, I use Pre-Lube 6 and have been pleased with the result. I did a lot of research on the forum before making a decision and decided on the Pre-Lube 6 based on the comments I found. One plus is that you can do it yourself. On a side note, make sure your machined flanges (head side) are flat and in line before bolting them to the heads. This is especially important if you are not using gaskets (like factory).

Terry

[Troy P.]

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

Depends on your intended use of the car. Lots of cast grey choices in coatings and paints. But if you are going for originality you have to paint engine color.

I painted mine using Chevy orange with a paint containing ceramic. Figured the ceramic would provide some durability benefit. But during judging at nationals I was hit because the ceramic paint burn off doesn't match the factory burn off with the el-cheapo factory paint. So if you are going with originality go the el-cheapo orange route.

However, an option that might be worth trying is to use one of the high temp cast iron paints or coatings and paint engine orange over that. Then when the orange paint burns off the manifolds might still be protected from rusting.

[Gary B.]

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

Tony,

Not for years/engines that the manifolds never painted engine orange by GM. I believe that is the only focus of this thread.

Gary

[Michael J.]

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

True, if you coat the manifolds in some expensive material before painting them Chevy orange, as the factory did on say C2s, the burn-off will not pass judging requirements, that is why I have always done it as the factory did, never a deduction. But if you don't care about judging, and want them to always look new, then these kind of coatings are good.

[John D.]

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

Excellent photo and info Mike. A mistake that was made on my 63 FI car is the exhaust manifolds were not painted orange.

[Michael J.]

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

Thanks, luckily my '63 Z06 tankerZ06Engine.jpg's was, no deductions......

[Michael J.]

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

Tony,

Not for years/engines that the manifolds never painted engine orange by GM. I believe that is the only focus of this thread.

Gary

I didn't notice that qualifier, or which years, etc. I was only speaking for C2s, most of which had the exhaust manifolds installed before the engine was painted, only the '66-'67 small blocks had them installed after painting, according to the TIM&JGs.

[Gary B.]