Painting headers?

I used the VHT ceramic paint on some headers and what didnt rust was prestine under the paint, I think some parts were not surface prepped. Wipe it all down with alcohol, paint and then heat set within 12 hours if you can, ie. have them ready to bolt on. The stuff never seams to dry if you dont heat cycle them and cure the paint, everytime you touch it, you get silver dust on your hand.