Painting exhaust manifold?

[s class]

Oscar kindly posted up this old pic of my car in another thread :



I've been running with these W123 manifolds for some years now, and not been totally happy with the front one, which as you can see has a large port in the side related to emissions equipment the W123 had.  In the photo, you can see a bodge job closing it off with a plate and hose clamps etc.  That was supposed to be a temporary 1 month fix, that's been in place for more like 200 000km.....

I recenly acquired another front manifold, WITHOUT the large port.  I know the right thing to do is ceramic coating, but I got a bit of a shock at the price of this - the 280 is a daily driver, not a concours machine, so is there such a thing as VHT paint that actually does last on manifolds?

[koan]

so is there such a thing as VHT paint that actually does last on manifolds?

I used VHT Flame Proof paint, not the usual VHT, this one withstands higher temps.

Comes in a limited range of colours.

Also has a three stage curing process, lucky my manifolds fitted in the oven!

koan

[s class]

THanks koan - do you recall the brand?

[nathan]

im with Koan,
VHT is what my mechanic uses and you can see thats what he used on the m117 engine rebuild in teh gwagen thread.
there is a silver and grey, and from memory, its the grey he recommended for the manifolds and silver for the block
only cost about 15-20dollars AU a can

[TJ 450]

I used the VHT paint on my 6.9's manifolds. It still looks pretty good, after 6000km... the rust is starting to blister through though, in places. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I didn't take my time with preparation.

Tim

[koan]

THanks koan - do you recall the brand?

The brand is VHT, would surprise me if it's not available in your part of the world.

Done several thousand kms since I painted the manifolds and no blistering or discolouring yet. I use the black which ends up a very dark matt grey.

koan

[s class]

OK that's encouraging.  Thanks guys.  I am planning to have the manifolds both bead blasted, which should give the pain the best possible chance. 

[s class]

Speco - supplying VHT : Link

VHT website : Link

[koan]

I am planning to have the manifolds both bead blasted, which should give the pain the best possible chance. 

Bead blasting would be good but for the less enthusiastic (me) just wire brushing with electric and hand brushes followed by a good solvent (carb cleaner) wash should do it.

The finish is very hard and scratch resistant, the three stage curing at increasing temps with cooling in between is what does it.

koan

[s class]

koan, I agree with your methodology, but blasting is very cheap here in South Africa - I'll probably pay $10 to 15 to have both maifolds blasted.  For that price, it isn't worth my time to do it manually.  Plus the blasting place is 3km from my house, on the way to work. 

[s class]

I emailed VHT to enquire about agencies in South Africa, but they wrote back saying they are not aware of any, and suggested I contact Sherwin-Williams International division (the parent company).  I have done so, and await a response.

It seems my brother in New York could pick up a can at his local parts store around the corner from him..... and he already on-forwards boxes of AUtohausAZ and ebay stuff to me each month - any thoughts on air-mailing a pressure-pack can?

[koan]

I emailed VHT to enquire about agencies in South Africa, but they wrote back saying they are not aware of any

That's surprising, thought it was universally available.

any thoughts on air-mailing a pressure-pack can?

Don't think you're supposed to. I will make inquires at the PO see if cans can be sent sea mail.

koan

[s class]

It took some doing, but I've tracked down a local supplier for VHT Flameproof.  I collect a can tomorrow.

Thanks. 

[s class]

Here's a pic of the manifolds after blasting and wiring up for paint.  I had them blasted in the morning, and went straight home to get the paint on immediatley as these things otherwise start to develop surface rust again quite quickly.

My phone battery died before I could get the post-paint photos 

[TJ 450]

Nice. I'll need to have this done on my 450's exhaust and intake manifolds.

Tim