my mac shorty headers are kinda rusty and look like crap....i want to paint them ....can i use 1200 degree ceramic engine paint? if so will it last?my headers are small enough that i can put them in the oven and bake them(when the wife isnt home) ......
It'll look good for about a week, and then it will start to peel. They're not bad for lasting while it's dry out, but as soon as you get a little moisture in the air, it flakes off just the same. I spend a good hour sandblasting my Mac headers, and used a nice silver looking High Temp paint. It was good for the 3-weeks I drove the car before putting it away. Well...come spring, I popped the hood and the looked like crap again. The only real way to coat them is to have them sent out and Jet Hot coated. Unfortunately, this cost as much as the headers to do....so....I just got used to liking the look of rust.
I haven't painted/coated car exhaust but I have done snowmobile exhaust. I really etched the surface and let it dry by a wood stove putting several light coats of 1400-1500 stove paint. My other one I had ceramic coated by NHTC and it still looks fine (has the chrome look to it) after 3 years now. I know shorty headers are $110 for black and like $130-$150 (don't remember) for the chrome look , I believe they just polish it. Alot of money to invest, I have seen cheaper but I now NHTC stands behind there work.