Header Painting

[Manfred]

Will painting the headers prevent proper cooling? I was thinking about painting mine to keep the rust at bay.

[hambone]

Nope. Paint will most likely flake off though, even hitemp. Powder coating is more durable but $$$.

[Manfred]

Nope. Paint will most likely flake off though, even hitemp. Powder coating is more durable but $$$.

I can't find any reliable powder coaters in Chicago. I paint them and see what happens.

[hambone]

I did the same with a stock muffler last year, even stripped the old paint.
Nope, rust still runs thru and flakes off the paint. Oh well not the 1st rusty muffler in the world. I got 5 years out of the old one at least. Still solid but interior baffles came loose. Stock paint too.

[airkooledchris]

I have had very good luck with Caterpillar "Muffler Paint" from a Caterpillar dealer.

CAT BLACK MUFFLER PAINT AEROSOL is the name they use in the stores.
pattencat.com is your local dealer.


My header still looks great, just from that one coat of spraypaint when I installed it 2 years ago, however the EMPI muffler it's attached to, while is still holding onto the paint, is simply rusting from the inside out now.

[Manfred]

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the exhaust pipes that bolt directly to the engine.

[daninghram]

Nope. Paint will most likely flake off though, even hitemp. Powder coating is more durable but $$$.

You cannot powder coat hot stuff I think you are thinking ceramic coating