Hi Temp paint for exhaust?

[maverickfhs]

Is there any hi temp paint which can be used on the complete exhaust (reasonator/muffler/pipe/cat converter), to avoid from rust and prolong the life of it?

Usually in our area, I have seen life of an exhaust is ~15-20years. Since most of my cars are at 10-12 mark and so far full exhaust looks in good shape. No terribly rusted or anything.

Was wondering if I can prolong their lives by using some paint or anything along those lines?

Thanks for any of your inputs and suggestions.

 

[HerrStig]

Using stainless works better than paint. Many components rust from the inside out.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Using stainless works better than paint. Many components rust from the inside out.


Please forgive my ignorance, what do you mean by stainless? You mean stainless coating? If rust comes from inside, then there's nothing can be done about it, I guess?

Thank you.

 

[RooflessVW]

It is worth it to buy a stainless exhaust vs mild steel that has been painted. Paint will chip and flake off and mild steel WILL rust from the inside out.

Look into Jet-Hot coating. It is pricey, but is well worth it to control under hood temps and corrosion on nearly any exhaust.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Using stainless works better than paint. Many components rust from the inside out.


Please forgive my ignorance, what do you mean by stainless? You mean stainless coating? If rust comes from inside, then there's nothing can be done about it, I guess?

Thank you.
Stainless exhaust parts. I have seen the difference between the Walker standard mufflers and their stainless versions, which don't cost a whole lot more. As another poster mentioned, painting a cast manifold may have advantages even though cast iron usually wears well.

 

[nthach]

You can buy VHT high-temp paint, but it will peel or burn off eventually. A powder-coat or slurry ceramic that's baked on at a powder coater might work out better, Cerakote is one example.

 

[SHOZ]

Ceramic coatings work great but it's more for new stuff. OEMs should be stainless steel since the 90's or so.

 

[maverickfhs]

Yeah seems like it might be cheaper to buy an after market exhaust down the line, once OEM gives up.

Or even sourcing one from the junkyard in good shape could be a better option. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[MinamiKotaro]

I have tried many different brands of high temp paint, advertised specifically for headers or just generic, and none of it has lasted very long. Stainless steel is the way to go.

 

[SHOZ]

Here is my Y pipe and exhaust manifolds after getting the Jet Hot ceramic coating. This held up great as far as chipping off. It does dull down to an aluminum color after a few years.

 

[CT8]

Pipes will rust through from the outside or the inside can't paint your way out of it.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
I have tried many different brands of high temp paint, advertised specifically for headers or just generic, and none of it has lasted very long. Stainless steel is the way to go.


Thanks, after gathering all the input from y'all that's what I have concluded.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Here is my Y pipe and exhaust manifolds after getting the Jet Hot ceramic coating. This held up great as far as chipping off. It does dull down to an aluminum color after a few years.


I am curious, how much did it cost you? Must be expensive!

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Here is my Y pipe and exhaust manifolds after getting the Jet Hot ceramic coating. This held up great as far as chipping off. It does dull down to an aluminum color after a few years.


I am curious, how much did it cost you? Must be expensive!
I can't find the receipt but I would guess around $300 for those exhaust pieces.

This was $250.00 in 2008.

Comes with a good guarantee and the ceramic coating really helps at rejecting the heat, or in the case of the exhaust keeping the heat in.

 

[maverickfhs]

I must say it looks 'preeeeeetttyyyy'

 

[DuckRyder]

I had very good results with Jet Hot in the past with some BMW exhaust.

The Truck on the other hand has $800.00+ of Jet Hot on headers and exhaust pipes inside and out (brand new components) and it looks like complete rubbish. I think It would look better without the coating. They recoated the headers once under warranty (not without a lot of attitude) and they look horrible again.

I STRONGLY recommend against them, pick someone else.

You can make VHT header paint work well, the key is meticulous preparation and following the directions. It will still burn off, but it will last longer than you'd think it you put the time into it.

 

[maverickfhs]

Honestly, spending money on Jet Hot would be equivalent of buying an after reasonator or even muffler. Altogether, it'll be cheaper.

Or even buying a used one from boneyard could be an option. So I have dropped this whole idea.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ffhdriver]

I've used high temperature bar-b-que grill paint on mufflers and it worked fine and didn't come off.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: ffhdriver
I've used high temperature bar-b-que grill paint on mufflers and it worked fine and didn't come off.


That's not a bad idea. How much was it and any specific brand? Thanks

 

[ffhdriver]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: ffhdriver
I've used high temperature bar-b-que grill paint on mufflers and it worked fine and didn't come off.


That's not a bad idea. How much was it and any specific brand? Thanks
It's been several years ago, but probably Rustoleum in a "rattle can".