TR6 Refinishing Exhaust Manifold

I just purchased a 6 into 2 exhaust manifold for my '74 TR6 that is in need of cleanup and refinishing. What is the best method for rust and paint removal? Sandblasting; or some other method? What color should the manifold be repainted? Gray or silver?

Thanks for your help,

Dan

Sandblasting would work fine, but a soak in Phosphoric acid is less effort.

(My bucket wasn't big enough for the whole manifold in one go.)

Ed

What is the correct paint color to refinish? Gray or silver?

hi
i painted mine black with por15 heat paint
cant seem to load picuture
give me your email and i will post some picsif ya want

Dan,
Soak or blast it and get it really clean. I used VHT exhaust paint with ceramic and baked it in a powder coat oven, but you can cure it using the engine. Cast iron would be my choice for color, but I did my MGB in cast aluminum 3 years ago and it looks like it did the day I installed it.
Rut

One caveat - I have been investigating the same: Most of the various coatings require a "correct" cure for proper performance. Jet-Hot, VHT paint, etc. The paint needs to be applied to a properly prepared surface, then baked to a certain recipe within a certain time frame.

Jet-hot and a local high temp powder coat outfit do not advise using their respective products on a newly rebuilt engine. They each have a specific engine running sequence after installation. The coatings may fail during the break-in procedure for a rebuilt engine.

Another option is to use Calyx Manifold Dressing. Easy to apply and looks great. But the coating does not "cure", and will rub off if you touch it. Working on the engine, for example. Fortunately this is not a concern on our LBCs, as the reliability puts Toyota to shame.

I used the car parts store VHT stuff, I degreased and wire brushed the manifold to prep it. I guess I didn't read the special directions about baking it on. Just painted it when I was restoring the car and ran it when I was done.

Considering all that it has held up well. About 8 years in it is starting to get a few small rust blisters or pop in a few places but still looks presentable. I did silver rather than a cast iron grey.