I have a brand new set of lake headers (thanks Gear Drive) and need to get some paint on the for mock up and shake down on my 27 coupe. So.... I have a couple of new cans of VHT 'very high heat" header paint and am looking for any tips on getting this shit to stick.... any tips? Obviosuly, cleaning the pipes before painting, but looking for other tips from the HAMB. It doesn't have to last forever..... just long enough to get me through the next couple months before going to Jet Hot Coat. Let me know and thanks as always!
read the directions on the can and FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY. I usually get over a year on my coats when done this way unless I get caught in a rain storm or something like that
I used that on mine and my experience yielded the following: READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS TO THE LETTER. Mine lasted over a year and I plan on redoing them this Spring.
Ditto, and do not heat them too hot when freshly painted! 4-5 starts to warm them well, then shut off between and let them cool completely. I get years between repaints on mine.
I cleaned mine to bare metal and then used RUSTOLEUM BBQ High Heat paint. Been 3 years now and still same color.
I used VHT and stuck an industrial heat gun in the end to heat um up in between coats...3-4 light coats and they hold up great.
I've always used weld through primer first, then high temp paint over it. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I think I mastered the header paint job.... will post pics once I mount and burn them in (probably tomorrow).
Anyone tried the ceramic paint speedway sells? http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tech-Line-Coatings-Black-Satin-Ceramic-Header-Coating-4-Oz,25581.html Its a gamble...at $40 for 4oz. Of the stuff. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
D-Russ, Those headers look beautiful. Great advice, especially the part about buffing the VHT w/ cotton rag.
On my Harley's I use stove black on the inside pour it in roll around let dry keeps chrome pipes from turning blue for along time Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That's a very good point I forgot to mention! I always buff them with a rag once they're seasoned, and it helps keep the finish nice for a long time!
That's a good question. I have a coated header that the tire was rubbing so I had to heat and massage it, so I lost the coating in that section. Wonder if this stuff would work??
I used to work at a header shop in the 60's. He would heat the tubes with gas torch and paint them with VHT immeaditely. Silver was the choice for magazine ad pictures.
It is all in the baking, we cooked/ heat cycled some in an oven and they stayed nice for multiple years until the truck went away.
I have a set of Gear Drive Lake Headers that were chrome dipped and turned brown. Just wondering if anyone has had any luck using high heat paint on this style ???
The method I've been using for years that seems to work well; (I only use black or white) 1. Clean the headers with brake cleaner or blast them if they are rusty. 2. scotch brite (maroon) everywhere. 3. wash again with brake cleaner - dry for 15-30 minutes. (Prep-sol or equiv also works) 4. spray 3 or 4 even coats of VHT or Duplicolor header paint. 5. after the paint flashes for 5-10 minutes - use a torch to heat the headers from the inside until they just start to smoke. Don't linger too long in any one spot, heat the headers evenly. 6. After they cool, wipe them with a clean rag to burnish the finish. They look like they've been powder coated. They will cure even more as you drive. Wipe 'em off if they get wet or rained on. I've had them last 4-5 years on a car that gets driven regularly, they will rust if the car just sits for months at a time in a humid atmosphere.
Just for your information, my son and I have had several sets of headers ceramic coated. The coater will always charge more to do a set that have been used, prepping takes a lot more work than coating a new set. I'm finishing my RPU, it's never been run but the lakes headers I built along with the whole exhaust system will be ceramic coated.
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