The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Paint for manifolds

I’d like to have my intake & exhaust manifolds sandblasted and then apply some hi-temp paint to keep them looking nice. Is there a specific paint brand or type that are recommended? Thanks for any suggestions.

Paint on an exhaust manifold will be a colossal waste of time. If you don't want the rusty manifold to show, apply some stove polish occasionally. It's basically carbon black like the soot that accumulates on a kerosene lamp chimney, in a wax carrier that burns away and leaves the black powder imbedded into the porous surface of the cast iron. The center of the intake manifold will also refuse to hold paint because of the heat riser valve.
Jerry

POR-15 High Temperature Paint - Gray - 8 fl. Oz. - High Heat Resistant Paint - Withstands Temperatures Of 1200°F | Weather & Moisture Resistant

Calyx

Either the POR High Temp paint or KBS Coatings high temp paint

I also like Calyx Manifold Dressing - it works

Save on shipping - check with local parts/paint shops.

Cerakote. Anyone that does powder coating should be able to apply this.

Basically the same stuff as the jet hot coatings.

CalyX worked for me. After bead blasting my headers I put a healthy dose on them and they lasted for a long time. Then I put an old sock on my hand and rubbed them on the vehicle and they looked good.....kind of like the stove polish. The best part is after they once get hot after coating they look so "original/natural. just my .02

The Calyx dressing has only been on the 261 in my Suburban for 18 years.

The Suburban has been garaged for those 18 years (not parked outdoors).
I drive it every few months.

I agree with Jerry. Maybe others have had better luck but I sandblasted my exhaust manifold down to bare metal. I used POR high temp primer and then top coat. It lasted about 6-7 months before it started to spot all over the manifold with rust. It didn't take long to spread across the entire manifold. The intake manifold is different. It has held up very well.

Exhaust gas temps exceed 1300 degrees easily.

Only real options to keep it looking nice are powder coat or ceramic coat.

Calyx Manifold Dressing - search here or the Internet for reviews.

Calyx Manifold Dressing - search here or the Internet for reviews.[/quote]

Saw this earlier and have read some of the reviews. It is promising, but having to reapply regularly is going to be a deal breaker for me.

Why would you have to reapply this regularly (why would you want to reapply this regularly)?
Nonetheless, it is easier to reapply compared to "traditional" paints.

Calyx is so easy to use as a touch up that it is not an issue for me at all. You can reach everywhere that matters leaning over the fender. It lasts a lot longer if you keep the truck out of the weather.

I have read many positive results, but it does say that reapplying is necessary. When I yank the engine I will be forced to make the decision to ceramic coat or use this. I am still in the mode of finding ways to not have to work on the truck once done.

Ha ha ha ha. What a oxymoron I just made.