Manifold Paint

[24 Roadster]

I have a 24 Roadster. Does anyone paint their exhaust manifold? If so what paint and what color do you use?

Thanks,

24 Roadster

[Pete K.]

I haven't painted my '25 Dodge manifold yet, but other old car manifolds I've done with a "cast iron colored" heat proof paint that looked pretty well. Different places sell it, Eastwood for one, as well as some local places now, I think. Black just doesn't look right and silver is too bright for my semi-original Dodge. I believe Dodge painted them silver from the factory, but that is my opinion.

[keiser31]

Eastwood gray manifold paint.

[R.White]

I'm going to try this stuff. There are quite a few colour options depending on taste.

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/high-temperature-paints.html

Ray.

Edited November 20, 2013 by R.White (see edit history)

[vintchry]

24 Roadster, I have used the Eastwood product with great success, but I buy the SS and the gray and mix them together to give a nicer look than either by itself. A little more expensive but a great look. Rob hattie's garage

[zeke01]

I have used the POR 15 manifold product but wasn't pleased with the results. Maybe I didn't prep the part correctly but rust returned quickly.

[Guest Dave Wilburn]

I find it hard to believe that they were painted from the factory. Are people just painting them to make them look better?

[JACK M]

Not original, but there is no better that ceramic coating.

[24 Roadster]

Thanks for the responses. My car, a 24 DB Roadster was my dads first car. Bought it out of a junk yard for $50 in 1936. My mother and dad dated in this car. The Dodge as my dad called it, sat in a field and rusted for 40 years. After retiring in 1984, he restored it to original condition. He only ask me to do two things before he died. 1. take care of your mother and 2. take care of the Dodge.

Every winter I clean and detail the engine. Everything looks so good after cleaning and touching up the paint. Then I look at that rusty manifold and wonder what other DB owners do.

[R.White]

Jack, have you ever tried the d.i.y. ceramic spray? I wondered if it is worthwhile as I imagine the cost saving is considerable.

Ray.

[Pete K.]

Ray, I've heard some good things about the KBS coatings that you spoke of.---Dave W., You are most likely correct, factory never painted the exhaust manifolds. I just see very old paint jobs on old car's manifolds. Jack, the ceramic coatings were applied on some US car's manifolds of the '20's and '30's, as you know. Packard was one of them. It was a dark brown color. Sure was PURDY. It stood up extremely well too. I had one from 1927. Someone in Hemmings offered the re-process at one time. Don't know if they're still around. Who's to say one couldn't do that to an early Dodge? I've seen A LOT worse things done!

[keiser31]

1929 Chrysler '75' also had a ceramic/porcelain coated manifold.

[AdW13]

you can buy powdercoating kits. harbour freight has them. You can buy an oven from a used appliance dealer and powdercoat many of your own parts and do small stuff for others too. They also have many colors available.

[R.White]

Can you use powder coating kits on high temp manifolds? I like the idea of these kits as I like to do as much as I can at home. Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, will require extremely high temps I gather.

Ray.

[AdW13]

Here is a link to info on coating other motor stuff....not sure if this is the coating available to the public . http://www.e-techpowdercoating.com/hot_powder_coating_applications.htm

I went to Eastwoods site and it said that their normal powder does not work for exhaust manifolds.....and they were reevaluating their old high temp formula...so it wasn't available. They recommend using their header paint.

I would say you may need a special powder for that high of temps.

check out some of the ovens people build.....http://www.thepowdercoatingforum.com/forumdirectory/forum/forumdisplay.php?19-Powder-Coat-Oven-Building

Edited November 23, 2013 by AdW13 (see edit history)

[Steve9]

I used Bill Hirsch Exhaust and Manifold Paint. Would definitely recommend it.

[JACK M]

Jack, have you ever tried the d.i.y. ceramic spray? I wondered if it is worthwhile as I imagine the cost saving is considerable.

Ray.

No, There is a place in Portland that I use. Very high quality.

RMS coatings.

On one of my cars I had to build my own headers, the had an exhaust shop buddy of mine make the rest. I had it silver coated from the head to the rear bumper. It has been on there for about ten years and still looks like chrome.

[R.White]

Jack, that must look better than thermal wrap?

Sounds like there is no contest.

Ray.

[JACK M]

Ray,

The thermal wrap is for a different purpose.

I don't use it very often as I think its a fire hazard as it absorbs oil.