Does ANY high temp paint exist....
 

Can anyone recommend an extremely durable high-temp paint for my 911headers that will last a long time without flaking? Ceramic coating is not an option at this time. Just wanting to know if a product exists that will withstand the the high heat that headers produce. I can't think of anything other than ceramic, stainless steel, or nickel-chrome to do this. I was just looking for a cost-effective alterative to these methods, and paint is the answer, if there is something to fit the bill out there. Thanks all!!!

Here we go...http://www.spacecitypanteras.com/Technical/High_Temperature_Paint_Bell.htm:)

There isn't any spray can coating that will stand the heat. Period...
You can get a little bit of protection by seriously degreasing the headers and then using some of the (supposedly) 2000° paint, then let it dry, and then run the engine in very short increments. Slowly increasing the run times will slowly cure the paint and increase its ability to stay put.

In the end it will still start to chip and crack almost immediately. Careful prep will only reduce the quantity of chips, cracks, and rust.

I have used VHT Engine paint in flat black on my muffler and had greeat results. Another good product is BBQ stove paint. I think the temp range is up to 1500 degrees. Be sure to thoroughly degrease the headers and let them dry completely before painting. Light coats with 3-5 minutes between coats worked for me. The paint has held up nicely for 3+years.

(fixed the above link. It had a ":" at the end of it.)
Note that this page describes painting the engine block and heads of a water cooled motor. You won't get the same results the second you try this on headers.

BTW - Also don't paint any of the aircooled parts of a 911. Paint is an insulator and it will help the parts over heat.

I was looking for high temp. paint for my oil tank. The place I bought my paint from sold me high temp. primer. They said it would work. Time will tell.

Another plug for BBQ flat black (1200 deg. f. ) on my muffler, it's been good for years.

Did Eastwood ceramic coating in the oven when wife out of town on headers. Was great, still looks good.

What about disc caliper paint.?

My brother owns a powder coating company, we have a high heat black powder (1000 degrees) ...

My muffler is powder coated all year and have not flaked etc....

afai know powder coating is the best.

Muffler paint is no good on headers imo.

I used Por-15 muffler paint on a very old stock muffler w/very good results in a salt air environment..

Eastwood has high temp exhaust gray paint. Worked for two years so far on my race car's headers.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=733&itemType=PRODUCT
YMMV.

Price point is right at under $200, go with Jet Hot, cheap insurance that still lasts a long time. By the time you buy a couple of rattle cans at $8-10 each, = $20 plus your time, you might still want to get a bid from Jet-hot high temp ceramic coating. Great stuff, get the sterling silver and is darn near chrome finish.

I'm with Bill (zotman72) The Eastwood high temp gray coating work wonders. Apply it with a sponge brush and follow the heat up cycling directions and it will last a long time. I used it on all the exhaust pipes and the center section of a turbo that I had in one of my old sandrails. It probably lasted 3 or 4 seasons before I had to re-do the paint job.

Get them ceramic coated inside and out and be done with it..

I did the 1500 deg. on my heat exchangers on my 84 about 6 weeks ago (?). It's already flaking. Same with the SHO exhaust manifolds I did last summer. The block, pan, heat shields & so on were fine, but the high-heat areas require something better than rattlecan.

I agree with he the BBQ grill paint, doesnt smoke like the high temp stuff and last, Kevin

I talked to my brother, even he recomended ceramic coating for the HE's / headers
Even the high heat 1000 degrees powder coating tends to chip off after awhile...

high heat powder coating for the muffler is fine....

Thanks all! This is very helpful!!!!

OTOH, my powder-coated factory HEs have lasted the last 9 years. I think the factory steel will fail before the powder paint. But I would still recommend the ceramic coating. It will provide good insulation qualities as well.

Sherwood

I used VHT on the entire exhaust system on my quad, (350 air cooled) and it worked great. I bead blasted the parts and applied as the manufacturer recomended. It has been two years now.