Painting my headers

mustangLX92 · 05-24-2002, 12:15 PM

I want to paint my headers to make them look better. What kind of paint should I use? Do you guys think it is worth taking the headers off to paint them?

PKRWUD · 05-24-2002, 12:26 PM

Paint? Not worth the effort or the money.

Powdercoat? Most definately worth the time and effort, and I think it's money well spent.

Take care,
-Chris

mustangLX92 · 05-24-2002, 12:46 PM

How would I go about getting them powder coated? how much $$? Also do you think spray painting my radiator with high temp paint would work good?

Thanks

PKRWUD · 05-24-2002, 12:51 PM

There are do-it-yourself powder coat kits, or you could find a place in your phonebook. For the radiator, only use radiator paint. Sounds like a joke, but it's not. It's a thinner paint. If you use regular high temp engine paint, you'll clog the fins.

Take care,
-Chris

jimberg · 05-24-2002, 12:52 PM

Here's some powdercoating kits that are available at The Eastwood Company.

http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/cgi-b...02052413490056

avbcon12 · 05-24-2002, 01:01 PM

i was looking into that kit as well but they claim that powdercoating only withstands temps up to 400 deg F. there is no way that is enough for headers.

take care,
adam

PKRWUD · 05-24-2002, 01:19 PM

I can't speak for that kit, but powdercoating can take alot more than 400 degrees! Half of the Sprints we run with have powdercoated headers.

Take care,
-Chris

jimberg · 05-24-2002, 01:26 PM

You should just buy new headers with the finish you want. Painting would look crappy and probably not last that long and other finishes would cost you as much as the new headers, probably.

I should have checked the temp ratings for the Eastwood Kit. Sorry about that.

Bad89stang · 05-24-2002, 07:57 PM

If you are wanting to paint your stock headers then use VHT exhaust paint. Yes, it does last. It looks good as well. I have my H-pipe painted with VHT. I wouldn't bother powdercoating stock headers IMHO. But, if you have the money and want to keep the stock look, go for it. Make sure you degrease the headers well if you decide to paint them. I have yet to see the paint discolor or chip. You can wipe grease right off of it as well. Let me know if you need any more info.

mustangLX92 · 05-26-2002, 05:09 PM

The headers I want to paint are 1 5/8" Motorsports. I think I am going to try the VHT exhaust paint. If I did decide to get new headers which ones flow better than the Motorsports? Also should I replace the gaskets when I take the off for painting?

Thanks for the help.

Bad89stang · 05-26-2002, 07:39 PM

The headers that you have are one of the best. The only ones that would offer more HP/TQ would be long tubes, but I don't think that they are worth it IMHO. I would replace the header gaskets while you have them off. They are pretty cheap.

avbcon12 · 05-26-2002, 07:45 PM

if you dont replace the gaskets they will leak for sure.

take care,
adam

red82gt · 05-27-2002, 01:29 AM

There's a couple of companies around here that do ceramic coatings. They look great and to get a set of shorty headers done it's $160 Canadian ($100 American). They clean them up and deburr them and give a lifetime guarantee on the coating. I would imagine that there should be something like that available in your area, check with sandblasting shops and such.

05-24-2002, 12:15 PM	#1
mustangLX92 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 138	Painting my headers I want to paint my headers to make them look better. What kind of paint should I use? Do you guys think it is worth taking the headers off to paint them? __________________ Motorsports springs, Lakewood drag struts, Southside rear lower arms. Motorsports upper arms. Lakewood Drag shocks. Southside rear drag springs, sub frames, 3.55 Gears, Cobra intake, 70mm TB, GT40 heads, X Cam, 1.6 Crane RR's, 110lph fuel pump, AFPR, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster catback, 1 5/8" Motorsport headers, under drive pulleys, cold air induction, Black Magic Fan, Pro 5.0, Weld Draglites.

05-24-2002, 12:26 PM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Paint? Not worth the effort or the money. Powdercoat? Most definately worth the time and effort, and I think it's money well spent. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

05-24-2002, 12:46 PM	#3
mustangLX92 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 138	How would I go about getting them powder coated? how much $$? Also do you think spray painting my radiator with high temp paint would work good? Thanks __________________ Motorsports springs, Lakewood drag struts, Southside rear lower arms. Motorsports upper arms. Lakewood Drag shocks. Southside rear drag springs, sub frames, 3.55 Gears, Cobra intake, 70mm TB, GT40 heads, X Cam, 1.6 Crane RR's, 110lph fuel pump, AFPR, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster catback, 1 5/8" Motorsport headers, under drive pulleys, cold air induction, Black Magic Fan, Pro 5.0, Weld Draglites.

05-24-2002, 12:51 PM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	There are do-it-yourself powder coat kits, or you could find a place in your phonebook. For the radiator, only use radiator paint. Sounds like a joke, but it's not. It's a thinner paint. If you use regular high temp engine paint, you'll clog the fins. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

05-24-2002, 12:52 PM	#5
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Here's some powdercoating kits that are available at The Eastwood Company. http://www.eastwoodcompany.com/cgi-b...02052413490056 __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-24-2002, 01:01 PM	#6
avbcon12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 391	i was looking into that kit as well but they claim that powdercoating only withstands temps up to 400 deg F. there is no way that is enough for headers. take care, adam __________________ 90 GT black/ grey leather ported GT-40 heads w/ 1.7RR, Cobra intake w/ ported lower, 24# injectors, 190LPH pump, 75mm Pro-M MAF, 65mm TB, K&N panel, BBK long tubes, Off road H-pipe, 2 ch. Flowmaster, Black magic fan, Kirban FPR, 180 deg. T-stat, 3.73's, Steeda Tri-Ax, 130 amp alt. Accell 8.8 race wires/cap/rotor, motorcraft plugs, Factory Five suspension, etc etc etc.... http://avbcon12.stangnet.com

05-24-2002, 01:19 PM	#7
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I can't speak for that kit, but powdercoating can take alot more than 400 degrees! Half of the Sprints we run with have powdercoated headers. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

05-24-2002, 01:26 PM	#8
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	You should just buy new headers with the finish you want. Painting would look crappy and probably not last that long and other finishes would cost you as much as the new headers, probably. I should have checked the temp ratings for the Eastwood Kit. Sorry about that. __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-24-2002, 07:57 PM	#9
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Save your money... If you are wanting to paint your stock headers then use VHT exhaust paint. Yes, it does last. It looks good as well. I have my H-pipe painted with VHT. I wouldn't bother powdercoating stock headers IMHO. But, if you have the money and want to keep the stock look, go for it. Make sure you degrease the headers well if you decide to paint them. I have yet to see the paint discolor or chip. You can wipe grease right off of it as well. Let me know if you need any more info. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

05-26-2002, 05:09 PM	#10
mustangLX92 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 138	The headers I want to paint are 1 5/8" Motorsports. I think I am going to try the VHT exhaust paint. If I did decide to get new headers which ones flow better than the Motorsports? Also should I replace the gaskets when I take the off for painting? Thanks for the help. __________________ Motorsports springs, Lakewood drag struts, Southside rear lower arms. Motorsports upper arms. Lakewood Drag shocks. Southside rear drag springs, sub frames, 3.55 Gears, Cobra intake, 70mm TB, GT40 heads, X Cam, 1.6 Crane RR's, 110lph fuel pump, AFPR, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster catback, 1 5/8" Motorsport headers, under drive pulleys, cold air induction, Black Magic Fan, Pro 5.0, Weld Draglites.

05-26-2002, 07:39 PM	#11
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Headers... The headers that you have are one of the best. The only ones that would offer more HP/TQ would be long tubes, but I don't think that they are worth it IMHO. I would replace the header gaskets while you have them off. They are pretty cheap. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

05-26-2002, 07:45 PM	#12
avbcon12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 391	if you dont replace the gaskets they will leak for sure. take care, adam __________________ 90 GT black/ grey leather ported GT-40 heads w/ 1.7RR, Cobra intake w/ ported lower, 24# injectors, 190LPH pump, 75mm Pro-M MAF, 65mm TB, K&N panel, BBK long tubes, Off road H-pipe, 2 ch. Flowmaster, Black magic fan, Kirban FPR, 180 deg. T-stat, 3.73's, Steeda Tri-Ax, 130 amp alt. Accell 8.8 race wires/cap/rotor, motorcraft plugs, Factory Five suspension, etc etc etc.... http://avbcon12.stangnet.com

05-27-2002, 01:29 AM	#13
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	There's a couple of companies around here that do ceramic coatings. They look great and to get a set of shorty headers done it's $160 Canadian ($100 American). They clean them up and deburr them and give a lifetime guarantee on the coating. I would imagine that there should be something like that available in your area, check with sandblasting shops and such.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Buying new headers	TwiLighTBluEGT	Windsor Power	4	04-23-2003 08:55 PM
Painting Headers	ChunkFunky	Windsor Power	6	12-11-2002 01:40 AM
Anyone have problems with MAC headers??	HiFlow5 0	Windsor Power	15	05-30-2002 08:30 AM
Headers should I or shouldn't I....Need Advice Quick Please	Mustang_GT_90	Windsor Power	9	05-01-2002 01:16 PM
BBK one-piece flange or MAC individual flange long tube headers.	Fox Body	Windsor Power	10	04-03-2001 04:25 PM