Exhaust Manifold Restoration

[Dicky]

To all you restoration shops & members;

What is the best method to treat cast iron exhaust
manifolds to prevent rust and maintain a raw cast look,
(without burning off) [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Thanks in advance, Dicky [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[XXXGoldL34M20]

I sand blasted mine first then sprayed &quot;VHT&quot; High temperature paint with one coating and baked them in my BBQ to 450 degrees. Did a second coat and put them in the BBQ a second time and 2 years later they look better than any of my friends job they did with much more expensive alternatives. Note &gt;&gt;&gt; put a sheet of foil paper on the BBQ before placing the manifolds in there. First photo is 2 years ago and second photo is a current photo after 1800 miles. So far no surface rust or burn off.

[Lynn]

I second this method. I have baked on high temp paint using only one coat and it works pretty darn well. I think the key is the slow bake at 450. Makes for an incredibly hard surface.

[MosportGreen66]

send them to Central Connecticut Coatings. Ask for Gene. He will explain the ceramic coating with the GM natural cast grey overlay. I've done about 10 sets and each one is mint. Will not oil stain or blemish.

Dan

[Dicky]

Ok you BBQ chefs, tell me, since we're not baking
chocolate chip cookies; what VHT paint color are we using &amp;
how long are we keeping the manifolds in the cooker?? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

MosportGreen66 (Dan), does the finished powder coat resemble
a bare metal finish? I did look at the Connecticut web site
but not sure if it looked like raw casting.

Thanks you guys for the help DH [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[XXXGoldL34M20]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dicky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok you BBQ chefs, tell me, since we're not baking
chocolate chip cookies; what VHT paint color are we using &amp;
how long are we keeping the manifolds in the cooker? </div></div>

See Photo for what I used. CSP998 Cast Iron. There are detailed instructions on the back of the can how to bake the manifolds.
As far as the 450 degrees goes I would wait till the BBQ hit 450 degrees and then leave it for 5 to 10 minutes as this paint cures rather quickly. Let it dry to cool again then do a second light coat and repeat cooking this meat for your motor. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
So far I have Zero surface rust bleeding through. Total cost was under $10 plus my labour which was no big hurt.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Found a photo of my manifolds right after I was finished

[Dicky]

Thanks Danny. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dicky [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[MosportGreen66]

Dicky, I don't like the photos on the website either but my photos were taken with a flash and aren't the best. Really good value...

Dan

[Dicky]

Well Dan, I like them both, &amp; since my car is
a driver not a concours resto I'll
do the &quot;paint cook&quot; approach, then consider
CCC, if my expectations are not met.

Great responses thanks.
Here's what I'm working with. You can see the rust
beginning.

DH [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]