Manifold Dressing

[Michael M.]

I need some manifold dressing for my manifolds before I reinstall. Anyone compared the Calyx from CC to the Hot Stuff offered by Virginia Vettes. Anyone know of something better than both? Thanks

[Jim D.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

Calyx is nothing more than graphite paste and it will get everywhere and make a mess any time you touch it. Avoid it like the plague. I don't know what Hot Stuff is, never heard of it. I glass bead, then spray them with high heat cast blast. They'll look great for many, many years.

[Russ S.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I put Caylx on my manifolds 15 years ago and they still look great with no rusting. Just put it on, rub it in well, and then wipe off excess. It has never gotten all over anything. Love it.

[Terry M.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I put Caylx on my manifolds 15 years ago and they still look great with no rusting. Just put it on, rub it in well, and then wipe off excess. It has never gotten all over anything. Love it.

You will lose points for that stuff if I judge your car, but suit yourself.

[Mark D.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

You will lose points for that stuff if I judge your car, but suit yourself.

Not me, buddy. I give 5 bonus points if the manifolds have zero rust and you can prove they are painted. If I pull my finger back and it's covered with Calyx, well, that's 7 bonus points.

[Russ S.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

You will lose points for that stuff if I judge your car, but suit yourself.

And everything else including rust and paint will also lose points. It's another no win situation.

[Michael M.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

You will lose points for that stuff if I judge your car, but suit yourself.

Thanks Terry for the comment but you will never judge this car. Its a Sunday Driver even thought I did my best to stay as close to NCRS as My common sense would let me. 10 years in progress and countless redoing what rusted because I left it bare as the book said. and it does live in its own garage. Also for everyone else I thought it would be a cut and dry answer. I did paint with HT cast blast and it lasted about as long as my first engine. About 2 hours. If I am going to drive this thing before I die I have to hurry. Thanks for the answers. Mike

[Terry M.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

Thanks Terry for the comment but you will never judge this car. Its a Sunday Driver even thought I did my best to stay as close to NCRS as My common sense would let me. 10 years in progress and countless redoing what rusted because I left it bare as the book said. and it does live in its own garage. Also for everyone else I thought it would be a cut and dry answer. I did paint with HT cast blast and it lasted about as long as my first engine. About 2 hours. If I am going to drive this thing before I die I have to hurry. Thanks for the answers. Mike

I don't judge mid-years. Every time I do I get in some kind of trouble, so you are safe from me -- and as I said suit yourself. None of us here should be telling anyone what to do with their car. You own it, you do what you want.

There really is no exhaust manifold coating that looks original. It is just a matter of how bad it looks, and if my fingers get dirty.

If I judge with Mark he will give bonus points for his side and I will deduct for my side -- and it is all a zero sum game.

[Tom H.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I've used the Calyx before and it looked OK, but I wasn't 100% thrilled with it. As the others have stated, it is messy and does tend to get all over if you are messing with anything in the manifold area.

I've had good results with the manifold paint from Eastwood. Blast the manifolds and brush it on. Looks great and lasts for years.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

If you want it to look good forever, have it done by Jerry MacNeish:

http://www.z28camaro.com/restosvcs.html#manifold

[Gene M.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

Well, look at it this way. Forty years of rust is going to get a deduct as well as any type of paint or coating.

I have run into the owner that bead blasts the manifolds a day before the judging to avoid any deductions. But that is good for a day or two then starts rusting all over again.

Oil is an option but that smokes and is very short term. Smoke may qualify as a deduction.

Take your poison.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

Looks like the 1965 and earlier manifolds with baked orange is sounding pretty good right about now..

[Michael M.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I live right on the coast of North Carolina. I can hear the Ocean from my shop in the back yard at times. ( approx 2 miles) It is amazing how quick something will rust here. I have to use something so I like the POR products so I might bead blast and go that route. Thanks for the many answers. Mike

[Michael S.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I use Details paint 1200' on my exhaust manifolds. Has been on my '70 for years.

[Tom B.]

Re: Manifold Dressing

I've had good results with the manifold paint from Eastwood. Blast the manifolds and brush it on. Looks great and lasts for years.

I've used this too. Very good results and it cures with heat from the exhaust. Even though they call it stainless coating it has more of a cast grey look.

Tom