Im planing on buying some non coated headers and was wondering if there was any paint that can be bought at a hardware store that will hold up under the heat.

I was thinking about BBQ grill paint that comes in rattle can but was told it wouldnt last. They also have 2000 degree brush on that might work.

Any ideas or should I just get them jet-hot coated or put them on bare or just pay the extra money and go with coated one.

 

I would honestly go LPP headers right now, cheapest/best quality stainless you can get. I think hes having a special now too or something

I went with painted Pacesetters about 4-5 months ago, and has seen lots of rain etc, sure they are a little rusty already but they still work damn good. I have no regrets about them if you choose to go that route.

I used that BBQ paint on my bullet muffler, which of course doesn't get near as hot.. but it still looks perfect fyi

 

just pay the extra money and get SS LTs. Do it once, do it right! That is my moto

 

I'd say bare should go on bare, coated should be bought coated.
Uncoated pacesetters come with black paint, it's tough to get that off to properly prep a header for a higher temp paint.

BBQ grill paint doesn't even last on BBQ grills so that idea is out.
Then you have the header collector, most bought coated headers rust there because the coating process cannot get between the pipes.

I've pick up a can of "whatever I had" one time to paint a weld joint repair on a header.
It was cold galvanizing paint, it never burned off. Maybe thats an option.

 

Did mine w/ Thermo-Tec (THE-12002) Silver. Been a year, looks great! They have black & copper too. YES it stayed on the metal surfaces.

 

I used off the shelft 2000* paint over at checkers. It holds up beautifully.

 

Im with him!

 

The extra 100 bucks you pay up front for coated headers will be worth it when the guy that bought bare headers is out looking for a new pair in a year or so.

 

I've had black painted Hooker headers since they came out years ago. I've redone them 1 time with bbq paint and they still look brand new. Then again I live in the desert. I do agree with others though. If I had to do it over I would get stainless steel.

 

I've run old second gen camaros back in the 80's and 90's with bare headers. I don't think the formulation of steel has changed much. Never had a problem with rust, yes they get surface rust, but I've had sets for 15+ years without failure.
The worst flaking rust I've ever seen came from under header wrap.

 

Thanks for the input guys...Im just gonna go ahead and buy the regular painted ones since there so cheap. Then ill probably throw some high heat paint on em and be done with it.

 

I have a set of Hookers w/Jet Hot's coating. It started flacking off in about a year. The header have been exposed for about five years and are holding up ok.

I'd buy the bare header and get it coated locally.