1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

[Valeria H.]

What product will return rusted exhaust mainifolds to the "close to" oringinal color?

I did a search on the achives and came empty?

Valeria

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

Try Calyx manifold dressing. It's not permanent so you have to reapply it from time to time. Wear latex gloves too as it is a little messy.

[Valeria H.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

The manifolds are rusty. Do I need to scrub the rust off before the application.
Valeria

[Glenn D.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

I tried to post a picture of my exhaust manifolds with freshly applied calyx , but the system said I had already posted that picture previously. Can you only post a picture once ? If your manifolds are rusty , just brush them with a wire brush to remove any flakes and apply the dressing.

[John F.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

I applied that dressing to mine on the car. Used an old toothbrush and it went on pretty easy. Looks real good when done, but will get your hands dirty any time later.
John F

[Scott S.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

I tried to post a picture of my exhaust manifolds with freshly applied calyx , but the system said I had already posted that picture previously. Can you only post a picture once ?

Glenn,

I run into this problem frequently. If you need to post the same picture again, try running it through a filter in your picture editor program and then save it to a different file name before uploading to the forum. I just hit the "quick fix" button, it does almost nothing, but changes the picture (i.e., contrast, brightness) just enough that the forum software sees it as a "new" picture, and will therefore allow you to post it.

[John D.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

What product will return rusted exhaust mainifolds to the "close to" oringinal color?

I did a search on the achives and came empty?

Valeria

Valeria, I assume you have the judging manual for 58 to 60 but I don't know.
I have the 4th edition but I think there is a later one.
Anyhow on a '63 the exhaust manifolds were on the engine when it was painted orange.
Your 60 would be the same.
See section 12. "Manifolds were installed at point of engine manufacture (Flint) and were painted engine color (either full or partial.)

I realize it's not practical to paint them Chevy orange right now though.
So do what most do. Remove them, blast the crap out of them and them paint them with heat proof paint. I am not up on the brands. JD

[Jack H.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

As mentioned, the exhaust manifolds were painted Chevy orange along with the engine. The rust that's present and any obvious surface pit, constitute a Condition issue.

So, if you simply remove the manifolds, gently media blast them, and apply a fresh coat of Chevy orange, you should get full credit on the Originality side of the ledger. To the extent that there's OBVIOUS rust/pit damage, expect to lose some points on the condition side of the ledger.

Later Corvettes shipped with unpainted exhaust manifolds and these are often the target for a cast iron 'looking' coating (like Calyx). But, Calyx once it's 'set' by running the engine and 'cooking' the coating is still OBVIOUS to a savvy judge--it represents a foreign FINISH that's easily distinguishable from raw cast iron. Hence, a 20% Originality deduction.

Perhaps, you could use Calyx (it's a reasonably thick slurry) to strategically fill rust/pit damage and then shoot Chevy orange over it (once it's been 'cooked') as a Condition compromise...

But, only YOU or your restorer can assess how well your existing manifolds will clean up via basic media blast when it comes to surface pit/wear considerations.

[John H.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

Valeria -

As I recall, judging (which requires burnt orange paint on the manifolds) isn't in your plan for the car, and you just want them to look nice. If that's what you're after, they should be bead-blasted lightly to knock off the rust, then painted with Seymour hi-temp manifold paint or Eastwood's "factory gray" hi-temp manifold paint. Then they'll look nice, and won't have Calyx on them that never cures and will rub off on anything that touches them.

[Valeria H.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

John,
Thank you for your response. I was chrinsing on orange paint response. This was worrisome. Your response seems far more palitable.
Thanks,
Valeria

[Valeria H.]

Re: 1960 exhaust mainifold dressing

Thanks to all who responded. There were several e-mails regarding ceramic coating which I do not think I have time to get completed before the convention.

I really like the idea and will probably have this done after the convention.

Thanks again!
Valeria