Need idea for a coating for fenton cast headers. They are old and nasty right now. Sandblast and use what? Hope this is the right forum. My last tech question got sent to the traditional discussions and happenings forum by a moderator but it says I shouldnt post tech there. Who knows. If anyone replies, thanks. Scott
I used vht header paint and primer. Had to do it two times because the first time I didn't use the same brand primer. It worked well for me. Just a suggestion. Let the heat from the motor back it on last a long time. Good luck
I found if you use a torch to bake them after painting they last a lot longer, I would stay away from white and lighter colors. The darker colors work better.--TV
por 15 makes a silver header paint that is brushed on i have had very good luck with it and it is easy to touch up
I havent used this but it looks interesting. http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/products/high-heat/
Not the cheapest solution ... but reasonable nonetheless, and quite durable with zero discoloration and what I think are good looks. Had my headers ceramic coated silver by an outfit that does mostly aircraft parts. Cost me $160 for the pair, including hardware, but I'm quite pleased.
I am glad to hear of the good results with the POR 15 as I really do like their products. It's just that I tried coating some ramhorns, after bead blasting cleaning, painting and baking in the oven as per instructions it peeled off almost immediately. So, perhaps I did something wrong. I would be happy to give it another try as I have about a full can and a half left. I can say that I ended up using the Eastwood cast Iron gray and after 25,000 miles it still looks great! ???????????????????????????
I've learned over the years that there are several things that will help your header paint finish last. First of all don't go crazy getting too many coats on, or it will peel quickly. 2nd, follow the instructions on the paint can! Once the headers are extremely clean, don't handle them without having clean gloves on. I never use primer, and just use VHT Flame Proof header paint. Shoot them with enough coats to get good coverage, but never more than 3-4 coats. Let them dry in a warm place for several days; don't put them on in hours and fire the engine up or they'll smoke! When you first fire the engine with new paint, let it run a few minutes and shut it off at the first sign of any smoke. Let the headers cool, and repeat this step until you can run them without any sign of smoke from the header paint. I've had headers done this way that hadn't been repainted in 10 years or more, and looked as good as new.
Sandblast them - wire brushing or wire wheeling will suffice. Then lightly oil and black stove polish. Season by running the motor with the timing retarded a bit. Reapply stove polish as needed during curing and once or twice a year going forward - like polishing your shoes.
I like Por15 Products too, but I had horrible results from the aluminum colored POR 20. I had the headers sandblasted, handled them with gloves, brushed on 2 coats followed the instructions exactly. Put them on the car, ran at an idle, they started discoloring and smoking right away. I thought that was the curing process so I left it go. Every square inch flaked off except the header flange. Customer support sez the headers must have been wiped down with something, but I asked the blaster and he sez absolutely not. POR 15 wants me to just do the same thing over again, but I don't want to waste my time. Now I have also used POR15 manifold gray on cast iron manifolds and that has worked excellent. 3000 miles on a 390 Ford
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