Coating headers with high temp ceramic paint.

If you are reading this article you are like me. You don't have the extra cash or you are too cheap to spend the extra money for stainless steel, ceramic coated, or any type of professional coating.



My budget did not allow for much. So I bought the Summit painted headers for $149.99 turns out they send you the pacesetter ones that would have cost me $220.99.
The paint that comes on the headers is not a high temp paint so it will burn off if not cared for. I picked up Dupli Color’s High Heat with Ceramic that’s good up to 1200 degrees if properly applied. It is $5.50 a can and if you are doing small block shorties like me one can is enough.

Before getting started check your headers for any defects, if they are used sandblast them and spray them with a high temp primer first. My headers were new so I skipped this step.
Start by scuffing up the surface of the header with a scotch-bite pad (I also sanded out the runs in the paint)
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Now that the headers are scuffed up they need to be cleaned before they can get painted use soapy water for this step. I wiped mine down with damp paper towels because I had no grease to remove. Make sure to dry the headers thoroughly.
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I made some hooks to hang the header on for painting and baking. Any wire coat hanger will work.
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I have an extra oven that I don’t care about so I had no issues painting the headers attached to the rack. I positioned the headers so I could get full paint coverage while still allowing them to fit in the oven without having to move them around.
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Painting a light first coat helps the paint stick better. I painted mine in a makeshift spray booth that only has 2 sides. I would suggest doing this outside, but when it is -20 degrees, painting inside works better. Make sure you have a well ventilated area.
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After the paint has had 10 minutes to dry you can add a second light coat
Wait 10 minutes and apply a thick final coat.
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Bake them for 2 hours at 400 degrees and allow for cooling before handling (ventilation is a must, use an outside oven if possible)

Take them out and enjoy.
Finished Headers

i like! good job. will that paint stay silver after starting the engine? i have an oven just for that! thanks alot i will use your tech tip!

can u do this in my moms oven lol cuz thats all i have and she is gone most the time could i pull this off lol without getting to messy

Awsome Biglaw 22!

I may have to give this a try... Looks like they turned out great

I personally have not run a car with them, but a buddy of mine did his and they are still silver after 2 years. If you do not bake them they will discolor/peal in a couple months! so the baking is what makes the high temp paint cure properly. I got the High Heat stuff thats good to 1200 degrees, not the 500 degree stuff.

As this is a "how to" you can not hold me accountable for your actions, or outcomes.

I will say that you can hang them in the oven with out getting paint anywhere. I would say go for it read the label on the can you can bake them at a lower temperature too. Either way make sure you have the area well ventilated and you set the oven to clean once you are done.

If your doing a Big block shorties you will have to bake them one at a time.

Great article. I never thought shorties would fit in an oven. Let us know how they hold up.

i dont think longtubes would fit in my oven plus my mom wouldnt be too happy

Originally Posted by sharpshot71

i dont think longtubes would fit in my oven plus my mom wouldnt be too happy

You and me both...only for me it's the wife lol.

Also, that looks like one large oven =).

is our oven opened or closed through this process. looks nice. I honestly think this is the only difference that the manufactures of these type headers have. Material is pretty much the same even in a can.

I had the oven closed and let them bake at 400 degrees. The oven looks big because the bottom element broke so I removed it, that seems to add some space. Other than that it is a standard oven, but after checking, it has more space on the inside than my new one that fit in the same spot.

The oven can fit Some shortie Buick headers for a 455 (one at a time mind you) thats in my budies Riviera Hear is a comparison of size

Ford 289/302 Header vs. Buick 455 Header