exhaust manifold coating/Paint?????

1969340dart said
I have done a lot of different exhaust manifolds and headers over the years, with canned coatings, spray and other. None but None have ever lasted for very long. On the other hand the Ceramic coating on my exhaust manifolds has lasted 10 years so far. I had them done by Jet hot coatings and I admit I had to send them back for a redo under warranty because they started to rust in the deep pore areas due to to the Houston humidity.
But since I had the new A/C garage built and the car stays in climate controlled area they have done REALLY WELL! If I were you I would spend the EXTRA $$$ to have CudaChick do them for you, I bet you will be happier with them in the long run ! just my 2cents and a note! When doing the exhaust manifolds smooth out the surface as much as you can before having them coated , remove or cover heavy pored areas. There are some products you can use to fill the deep pore areas in with.
The smoother they are the better they are. Especially if you live where the Humidity is high, moisture gets in the pore areas and will show signs of rusting.
Of course it is your $$$ and you can certainly choose to do it however you see fit. I know that some canned products have came a long way in technology in the past few years also. By the way I do not get any $$$ from CudaChick for recommending her and her powder coating or ceramic coating business. But I have seen some of the work from her and it is TOP NOTCH WORK!

1969340dart, I agree wholeheartedly with your recommendations on filling the defects inherent in every cast iron manifold (and some headers) ahead of time, and would add that any grinding / filing needed be done beforehand too. (Sand castings always result in extra metal where it doesn't need to be, and removing it not only makes them look better but it reduces a bit of weight too.) Brand new headers often require 'dinking' -- I heated mine up with a torch and started pounding LOL -- so you can get a spark plug socket in there later, and that should also be done before they're coated with anything regardless of whether you do it yourself or farm them out.

All in all, the smoother the substrate surface is, the better your ceramic coating will look and the longer it will last.

I'm laughing at your statement about the kick backs from me too. You're not lying! Heck, I don't even know your name. Guys, rest assured I didn't pay him a dime to say all of that, but I'll sure volunteer a bigggggggggg sloppy kiss (with tongue of course) for all the kind words about my work. You're a doll!!!!!!