Urgent urgent urgent...
I need to know what type of paint I can use on the intake manifold of a 36hp. It is a stock resto so I need to use the original GLOSS grey. The problem is that it needs to be high-temp resistant because of the pipe running off the exhaust. I don't want to paint it silver! I've heard of ceramic coating but no-one in tassie seems to do it! HELP

You might want to check out the POR 15 range of products. The do a high temp(500-600C) paint in a colour they call "manifold grey". The normal POR 15 also comes in a grey, which they claim is tested up to 300C. It's expensive compared to normal paint, but has a good reputation. See thier australian agents web site for details. http://www.ppc.au.com.  (thats correct, it's not a typo...ppc.au.com)They do mail order.

I used POR manifold grey on my exhaust. It was about $33 for 250ml.

I sandblasted the exhaust, then painted it. It lasted for a couple of weeks with no probs.

It never drys, I accidentally got some WD40 on it, and it washed off.

And now it has started to peel in places (3 or so weeks old).

So it works ok, but it isn't magical.

My mate used to paint his exhaust with aluminium kill rust. It would smoke and stink the first few times, but then seemed to stay on quite well. I painted my cylinder tin with blue kill rust a few times and it lasted quite well. A grey kill rust might work ok.

I too was amazed with Killrust, about 7 years ago I paited the cast iron Exhaust manifold of my Humber with aluminium coloured killrust, no preparation whatsoever, so that it would look good for a coupla days, it still looks OK now:jesus

You can buy VHT High Temp spray cans of paint at most Auto shops and Big W or Kmart for under $20. I have been painting all My (non VW) exhaust manifolds white for years and they never peel off... I have painted My VW inlet manifold with Yellow paint... so I am expecting the paint on the heater pipe to either peel off or discolour.... Lee

these are the way to go, i've used them on my exhausts and my manifolds. only prob i had on one ocassion was i didn't leave it long enough to dry before starting my engine. since leaving it for a day or 2, i have never had to use it twice on anything..........................jace

The only problem with the VHT paint is that it is matt not gloss. I am tying to restore my 59 to original spec so it really needs to be gloss grey. might have a look at por-15 or killrust? Thanks for all the help guys!:kiss

[Edited on 19-9-2003 by 62deluxe]

What about powder coating. Will that stand up to fuel, temps ect in an engine bay.

maybe find out what it was originally painted with. High temp? Powder coat? Polished with alpine pollen? High temp paint comes in a variety of colours flavours and textures, I have used black high temp on it for over a year on the 1600 bus and it still looks great. I have seen other brands than VHT with gloss finishes. Try a few different brands of shopor ask a local hotrod/exhaust shop, I reckon they will point you in the right local direction
kkk

Wes, I'm curious, did you use the hi temp POR or the regular type. If you used the hi temp, did you bake it at 180C before use. I ask cos I have bought some, if it's not gonna work I won't bother using it. Cheers.:beer

i used powdercoating on mine. it does fine on the heat. the only thing is to make sure that you dont have a leaky carb. it will yellow the powdercoating a little bit.

Thanx german folker. I talked to the guy that powder coated all my tinware but he wouldn't say that it wouldn't burn but if you have tried it then that's good enough for me! Powder coating is certainely the best finish.
Cheers everyone for your help!!:beer

[Edited on 20-9-2003 by 62deluxe]

Stuff I paint with hi temp/engine type paints gets scrubbed with degreaser and a wire brush, then washed it a bucket of hot soapy water, rinsed in another bucket of hot water and then dried with compressed air.

Gets hung from a wire and given light coats of paint about 5 min-10 min apart. Kind of mist, let flash off, mist again. I usually get it covered in about 4-5 mist coats. This does not mean the paint is thick. I usually then hang it in the sun for a day then it can get fitted straight away or up to ages later when I need that bit.

If Im painting stuff I try and paint a few things so its worth setting up for a few hours and doing other bits too.

The first time I run the engine it can fume a bit. Dont assemble it with oily fingers. I find the heat in the engine bay cures it to required hardness. After a week or so it is spannerproof.

If I put painted stuff to thermal cycle or bake in my babe wifes new Italian stainless cafe oven I would be living in my kombi with the dogs on a mostly permenant basis with painted parts inserted painfully........then my bus wouldnt run...... and that would be a crime!

kool karma to you