805cut

So i just got some headers for the 350, on the install instructions it said something about "breaking in a engine with ceramic coated headers WILL result in damage to the coating and will VOID all warranties"

I will be breaking in a brand new motor when these headers so im just curious as to what thatsball about?

And the paint thats on them looks like ****, whats the best paint to use on them? any "header paint" i suppose?

Thanks guys.

Redog

Are your headers ceramic coated? If they are, you're going to have to sand off all that coating to paint them. Use another set of headers to break in the engine if you're worried about it

805cut

yeah they are ceramic coated and im not really worried about it, just wondered what paint will hold up on headers.

Redog

Look for something in the 1500 to 2000 degrees range.

I find it funny that "hi-heat" paint you buy at the auto parts store is good upto 1200*. My Alero's headers AVG 1100 at crusing speed

If you don't sand off that ceramic coast, the paint WILL flake off very easy

805cut

What about a little sanding and adding a couple more layers then bakeing it...

Which makes me wonder how id do thatnsince theres no way they will fit in my oven ive heard about useing a big torch, like as asphault torch to cure them?

Redog

Ummm, no. No matter how many coats of paint you put on, the base coat will flake off and all the coats on top will go with it. You are thinking wayyyyy tooooo much here, man! Torches? Painting over a coating? How many coats?How many coats are you planing on doing? At $6 a can, it's going to be a complete waste.

This is a like using a sledge hammer to put a thumb tack in a corkboard

And the baking process you are talking about is NOT paint, it's powdercoating

805cut

Theres was a coat of un cured ceramic paint on the pipes when i got them, i cleaned and lightly wet sanded them then sprayed a few more coats of black vht these are full
Emgth headers and will not fit in my oven, and since i was told that running new headers during the break in of a new engine will result in high temps to fast and ruinbthe uncured paint..

The torch is for heating up the header via the collector to simulate hot air running thru them, which is not as good as bakeing them but wht other option do i have? Cant return them i just fuc$ing painted one of them

MDchanic

Doesn't matter.

All the paint will peel off soon enough.

- Eric

805cut

So, then my best bet?

MDchanic

Don't worry about it.
Stuff happens.
Paint is notorious for not sticking to ceramic coatings. That's life.

Do you stand around staring at your headers, or do you drive your car?
Nobody will even notice after its been run for a while.

Choose your battles - this one isn't a winner.

- Eric

805cut

Jesus

Redog

OK this has been answered 5 times, you are not accepting the answer, so:

Sure just buy some header paint at the store paint it up and call it a day. It will stay perfect forever

Run to Rund

Look, just run the engine and after the paint flakes off, wash with a 25 cent car wash wand to blow off more, then touch up with VHT header paint. Repeat as needed. I don't know of any header paint that lasts forever; I just touch it up as needed. If the magic coating falls off, so what, just paint the headers afterwards. Sorry, what we are trying to say is just this--keep a can of VHT handy and expect to use it.

805cut

Thanks for a real answer man

805cut

[QUOTE=Redog;423093]OK this has been answered 5 times, you are not accepting the answer, so:

Sure just buy some header paint at the store paint it up and call it a day. It will stay perfect

I never thought the vht would last, it comes in a can...

Just simply wanted to know what my best option was, if your so beyond my newbie questions then please do yourself a favor and choose to not answer them im learning and very intrested in everything (dont know if you can remember being young or not)