It's black paint - if memory serves they did recommend either high-heat paint or some other coating for long term protection. These were hard to find because of the smaller engine compartment in the '65 Barracuda; regular headers that supposedly "fit" really don't and require that you cut out the inside of the fender wells! This is one of those big purchases I made where I just never got around to installing them; they were in the trunk of the car for the past several years! I gave it to my son for his 30th birthday (last month) and we both decided not to have them installed.