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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 11:44 AM
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Default Header coatings

I have a set of mild steel headers, and I am needing to coat / wrap them to try and reduce my under hood temps. After reading about what other guys are doing I am a little bit confused on which method works the best for not only durability (not flaking off), but at keeping the headers from rusting out.

Which method is best? (or which method did you use?)

- just paint the headers/ manifolds

- paint the headers / manifolds then wrap them

- wrap the headers / manifolds first, then paint them

It sounds like the coatings that people are using include:
- VHT 2000 deg
- Rustoleum high temp (Flame Proof???)
- Forms of BBQ paint, but that was used after wrapping first (just an outside coating)
- and Turbo X from Tech Line (http://www.techlinecoatings.com/Exhaust.htm)

Please weigh in with what you have used and if it has prevented your headers from rusting out.
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 02:42 PM
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VHT and then wrap with DEI Lava Wrap.
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Old Sep 30, 2014 | 10:20 PM
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Anybody try Cerakote? I just got a jug of Glacier black to try on my hotside.
http://www.cerakotehightemp.com/fini...glacier-black/
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 05:59 AM
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Techline stuff is great. Very easy to use also. I prefer it over VHT paint any day. It does an excellent job of holding in the heat.
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Techline stuff is great. Very easy to use also. I prefer it over VHT paint any day. It does an excellent job of holding in the heat.
Joe,

On the Techline, are you just coating your headers, or are you wrapping them after coating them? Also, I have read that some guys use a propane torch to bake on the coating. Did you have an oven, or did you use a torch when you applied the Techline?
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by jrpimp00
VHT and then wrap with DEI Lava Wrap.
With the coated and wrapped setup, did you have any issues with rusting out of the headers?
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 02:10 PM
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I used BBQ grill Rustoleum or Krylon directly on the manifolds and it has held up better than the VHT coatings. Then I wrap them and spray that down with BBQ grill paint as well to help the wrap shed moisture/oil/etc.
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo_bu
With the coated and wrapped setup, did you have any issues with rusting out of the headers?
Nope, the coating is thee to protect the pipes and wrap for the heat. You can go over the wrap with the coating too if you want, if its ceramic paint. I dont cause it seems to get too brittle.
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