Exhaust Manifold Paint

[Don G.]

I was wondering if anyone has used Rustoleum Chevy Orange engine paint. The car will not be judged, so I'm not so concerned if it's a shade off. The paint is rated at 500 degrees, and I want to make sure that most of it will burn off the exhaust manifolds. On the other hand, if the car is not going to be judged, what might be a more practical solution?

[Gene M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Don,
VTH makes engine/manifold paint rated a lot more than 500 degrees. It seems to last a real long time on the exhaust manifolds if bead blasted good prior to paint.

[Don G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Thanks Gene. Are you suggesting a Chevy Orange or another color by VTH?

[Joe R.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Don,

You might consider sending them to Jerry MacNeish. He puts a thin coat of aluminum on them so they don't rust again on the outside. He supplies high temperature spray paint. You paint them once they come back. Here's the link:

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

Joe

[Tim T.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Don,
Media blast them and apply POR 15 Factory Manifold Gray. Holds up better than anything else I have tried.
Tim

[Don G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Thanks. I'm still thinking that maybe I should be using a Chevy Orange. The car is a 64 300 HP, but as I said in my original thread, I don't plan on having the car judged, just thought it would be nice if it looked mostly correct.

[Gene M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Thanks Gene. Are you suggesting a Chevy Orange or another color by VTH?

Don,
I assume you are going for the correct look. Prior to somewhere around mid '66 the exhaust manifolds were assembled to the small block engine prior to painting. So they would have a good amount or orange paint on them. But as ya know it burns off in the center section of the exhaust manifold. After that time frame, late '66 and '67 small block exhaust manifolds were not assembled till after engine paint. So those exhaust manifolds should be raw cast look. But most of us do not like rust, so a high temperature cast blast paint imitates the raw look. Be advised the blast paint finish or any other application on late '66 and '67 small block exhaust manifolds will not pass NCRS judging.

I prefer VTH high temp cast iron paint over other finishes, as it does not destroy the original manifolds as you can bead blast it off any time you decide to not sacrifice NCRS points. But for anybody driving your Corvette it keeps a neat appearance. Price is cheap too, less than $10 a can.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

I like that paint, I used it on some of my parts for my 1971 LS-5. I have not done the manifolds but it is what I am going to use when I do them.

[Don G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Gene,
You are correct, I was thinking of going for the correct look on a 1964 small block. If I do, and use the VHT Chevy orange, then I have two questions. 1. Should I use the VHT high temp which is rated at 1300-2000 degrees? or 2. Should I use the engine paint rated at 650 degrees? The reason for the question is if you are looking for an original look, will the high temp burn off like the original factory paint and just leave some on the cooler ends of the manifold.

As you can tell, I am on the horns of a dilemma, because I must admit, I prefer the raw cast look, even though this is for a 64 small block. After all of my questions, if I do chose the raw cast look, do I paint everything with the VTH high temp cast iron paint, i.e. the bolts, french locks, etc.? Thanks for your input.

[Gene M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Gene,
You are correct, I was thinking of going for the correct look on a 1964 small block. If I do, and use the VHT Chevy orange, then I have two questions. 1. Should I use the VHT high temp which is rated at 1300-2000 degrees? or 2. Should I use the engine paint rated at 650 degrees? The reason for the question is if you are looking for an original look, will the high temp burn off like the original factory paint and just leave some on the cooler ends of the manifold.

As you can tell, I am on the horns of a dilemma, because I must admit, I prefer the raw cast look, even though this is for a 64 small block. After all of my questions, if I do chose the raw cast look, do I paint everything with the VTH high temp cast iron paint, i.e. the bolts, french locks, etc.? Thanks for your input.

Don, your 64 should have a good coating of orange on the manifolds, not by intention but by the lack of any coverup as the rest of the engine was painted. Most judges are not picky just so they see a reasonable amount of color. As you already know the chevy orange is not available in the 2000 degree spray bomb. So I suggest you use the 2000 degree cast spray on the manifolds then after that dry with some exhaust heat apply some orange over it. Now the orange should be sprayed without complete coverage of the cast spray. A hint, spray more orange on the forward thick section for the alternator mount and the rear most ends. These areas do not get as hot as the center section of the exhaust manifolds and the orange paint will stand up longer. Bolts and french locks should get the orange with good coverage. Hint here too, the bolts will rust in fast order without good covering. They are a phosphate finish that does not like temperature changes. French locks if not stainless were bare steel as were the washers. So orange spray keeps them all looking better longer. Your option to spray 2000 degree paint on the hardware, but I do not, just the orange.

Generally the orange if sprayed in the center portion of the manifolds turns black. This is also true on the intake were the heat passages are in the center.

[Don G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Thanks Gene, great information.

[Dale M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

I understand your questions, I just went through this on my '64 300HP vette. I do drive my car some and not surre if I will have it judged, but I like to make it as original as practical (what ever that means). Upon the recommendations of some of our local members, I use Eastwood's Stainless Steel High Temp coating. I did mine last winter and it does not have to many miles on it yet, but I saw a '58 that is several years old and it a Top Flight car. This may not have the correct look but I expect it to last an look good. I bead blasted it first and coated my side exhaust system with this.

I added photo.

[Don G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Thanks Dale. Hard to see in the photo, what did you paint the bolts and french locks? Do you have any more pictures of the engine bay?

[Dan H.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Hi Dale, nice engine details. You might want to shorten your tee hose and route the hoses over the top of your battery away from the exhaust manifolds. Check out some pictures of original routings etc.
Dan

[Dale M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Paint

Don, Here are some more pictures. I decided to use this Stainless Steel High Temp Coating for drive-ability and lasting effects. I have considered applying some engine orange over spray to make more original. I did not paint my bolts or french locks. I noticed from my pictures that I missed bending over one of my french locks (thanks). I am inserting a link to my pictures. I hope this will provide them in more detail as I had to reduce the resolution to up-load them to here. You should be able to just click on my link or copy and paste it into you WEB browser.

https://www.ncrs.org/qc/Pictures/48325ExhaustManifolds.pdf

I am considering having my car judged to to see everything they detect and for my own knowledge. I likely may not make Top Flight, but its my driver and cruse-ins. Good Luck on your project.