rebelhell

iTrader: (1)

I've ordered a set of OBX headers for my 5.5 and would like to paint them black before I have them installed. Has anyone had any success painting their OBX (or any) headers? What did you use to paint them? How has it held up?

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

Wrap them in a titanium heat wrap and call it a day.
I don't think any paint will last long on headers.

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

Cilgen but you need a paint sprayer. there is nothing in a can that will work if that is what you are asking

picnik99

iTrader: (10)

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=371

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Send them to get coated.

95maxrider

iTrader: (32)

I bought a set of used and beat up Cattman headers, cleaned them up and painted them. I put on multiple (admittedly sloppy) coats, and after a year of abuse only a small amount of one layer of paint has started to chip off one small section of the pipe when I had some paint runs. I would say they look 95% as good as they did right after I painted them, and had I done a better job of painting it would probably be closer to 100%. Here's my post I made in my build thread about the process:

This is what they looked like when I got them:





Then after much sanding....


I had originally planned to ceramic coat all three of the header pipes, but ended up being too busy and was only able to coat the actual header pipes. I used the silver VHT Ceramic Coat spray, and so far am pretty happy with the results. The headers have been on for more than a month, and while a small section of coating has peeled, there’s still another layer or two beneath it and it still looks silver. It took a few hours of sanding and using a wire brush to get the headers to a point where I felt like painting was appropriate. Immediately before painting I used a propane torch to burn off any oils left on the surface, and there was apparently plenty, as I could see it burning off. Now I’m not very good at any sort of painting, so I ended up with a couple runs in the coat, but overall I’m very pleased with the results.

After painting:





And hey, why not clean up and paint the bolts? Wire wheels are fun!

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Wow, those look really good. Well there we have it then.

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

I used the black VHT can stuff. Yeah, don't expect it to stay on the exhaust very well. But, that wasnt my goal anyway. I used it to protect welds and to coat underneath the header wrap I used. The VHT was then used overtop the header wrap to seal it from moisture.

I recommend either VHT, wrapping, then sealing wrap with good coat of VHT ......or, have the headers ceramic coated.

schmellyfart

iTrader: (46)

Those look good. How many cans of paint did you use? Too bad you didn't have access to a bead blaster, that would have made prep so much easier.

Flanker84

When I purchased the header for my other car, I followed the next procedure:

- Put it 3 layers of High Temp Paint
- Put in the Header Wrap
- Another 3 layers of High Temp Paint



3 coats of HT paint



Header Wrap and HT paint

It will smoke like an old steam locomotive for several days, but you will get a nice and pretty strong barrier against the heat and moisture. If you only paint it, will be OK. But it's your choice.



Greetings.

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

Yeah, mine smoked for a couple days but had that odd wrap odor for more like two weeks! I figured it was probably just cheap wrap. Nasty though! Didn't think it was EVER going to end!! LOL!!

nismopc

iTrader: (3)

OBX are stainless, correct? Those used Cattman's are mild steel aren't they? The high temp will adhere to them much easier than stainless. I don't even know if it would stick to stainless even if prepped...

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

I have the full Catman setup. All stainless. VHT has stuck just fine, and despite absolutely NO prep work. Any peeling on catback has been due to using only a couple coats of paint and typical unavoidable rocks/debri hitting exhaust while driving.

rebelhell

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all of the responses. I found a place locally that does ceramic and powder coatings. I'm going to give them a call and see how much it'll cost. If it's not too much I'll probably go that route, if it's outrageous I'll probably just use VHT.

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

Eastwood has special high temp brush on header and exhaust coatings

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

http://www.eastwood.com/tlc-colorgar...olish-4oz.html

DOODOOCHIP

may i ask where did you order the headers from?

rebelhell

iTrader: (1)

Ebay

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

http://forums.maxima.org/all-motor/6...x-headers.html

rebelhell

iTrader: (1)

Just got my shipping confirmation in case you were worried about the whole "out of stock" thing that's been going around.

Says 8 are available.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330865207641...84.m1497.l2649

T_Behr904

Jet-Hot 'em

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

one of the best coatings you can get, but it costs almost as much as the headers themselves..lol

http://swaintech.com/race-coatings/a...s-price-sheet/