TR4/4A Exhaust Manifold - Most Durable Finish?

[RJS]

Hi,

While repairing a broken cylinder head stud on my car, I decided I should take the opportunity to media blast and refinish my extremely rusty (nasty looking) exhaust manifold. No matter what route I choose to go, it will look infinitely better. My biggest priority then is something which will be long lasting and nearly permanent.

I was considering ceramic coating as I understood it was nearly bullet proof. That is, until my brother told me the header he had ceramic coated started chipping almost immediately. Maybe it was a poor job - who knows. What about any of the Eastwood Hi Temp paints? The benefit of that I guess is I can touch up the paint with the manifold in place if I had to.

I welcome any thoughts, ideas, suggestions.

Bob

 

[charleyf]

Bob,
I have had good success using the special high temp paint for headers available from local auto parts store. Have it on my 2 TR4's for 6 years on the older one with no issues of color change or flaking. They suggest either baking the new paint on or just running the engine to "bake"it on, which is what I did. I recall they use some terminology about ceramic.
I used a flat silver color.
Charley

 

[malbaby]

I had mine ceramic coated, so far so good.
IMHO..well worth the expense.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I've had no issues with the VHT flat black sold for this purpose - https://tinyurl.com/kac9muo

I got it at O'Reilly's.

As Charley mentions, there is some claim it is 'ceramic' whatever that means. Anyway, it stays put and doesn't change.

 

[Rut]

This is the VHT hi temp ceramic paint on my MGB exhaust manifold and it looks the same 3 years later. I was skeptical at first, but I'm pretty sold on it now.
Rut