Exhaust manifold paint or coating

[paul1969cars]

Hey

What is the best and most durable paint of finish I can do the exhaust manifolds to finish in cast iron

I did mine a few years ago in ceramic coating. They not holding up

I have seen cars with nicely restored and finished manifolds. Just don’t know what’s best

 

[copper67sat]

I sandblasted mine and painted them with Eastwood manifold paint over 30 yrs and 30k miles ago. They have discolored some but otherwise the paint held up very well.

Pulled the engine a few weeks ago to freshen it up.

 

[Budnicks]

IMHFO
Nothing from an aerosol can will look great for long

maybe if you never drive it much, it might last longer

a ceramic coating will look great for a long time
a professionally done set, like JetHot or someone like that, is best

I now wish I did it back then, spent the $250
I spent a lot of time porting, like 24 hrs worth/3 solid days
with a peanut grinder & templates I borrowed, time is precious I value my time
(for way better flow) to make them flow better/479cid low deck 6bbl stroker,
for real performance
& grinding/sanding on them on the outsides & have a good surface to even coat

I did the, heat them in the oven, get them to temp, like 100*s spray
paint with VHT hi-temp ceramic (2006 variety, like a natural cast grey)
exhaust paint/aerosol cans
some almost 20 years ago
3 coats & 3 heat cycles up to 250* each after the 1st coat, let them cool
like they recommended, between each coat
& they are flaking off pretty bad today
look better than the layers of rust that was on them though

2013 not the best photo (blur), they were painted 1st in 2006-ish

2016 sorry not any great photos of them, you can see them flaking even then