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What header coating won't rust?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dtowncats
  • Start date Start date Apr 21, 2005
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Dtowncats

New Member
Jun 2, 2003
340
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York, PA
Apr 21, 2005
#1
  • Apr 21, 2005
  • #1
I have heard that ceramic headers won't rust unless they get scratched. I have found a good deal on some BBK ceramic ones(new) but it is almost impossible to not scratch headers while trying to install them. How good do the FRP stainless headers hold up?
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Apr 21, 2005
#2
  • Apr 21, 2005
  • #2
Well, any coating that you scratch deep enough to get to metal will rust.

JetHot coating (as used on FRPP Headers) is pretty tough stuff -- they basically set the standard. I have heard stories of other coating flaking off eventually, however JetHot has a lifetime warranty against that (among other things).
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,361
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Ohio
Apr 21, 2005
#3
  • Apr 21, 2005
  • #3
My Ford Racing Headers have small rust pit marks in them.
 

LoudToy958

Member
Mar 30, 2005
435
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16
Bremerton, WA
Apr 22, 2005
#4
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #4
I got my long tubes in without scratching them. I just wrapped them up really good in bubble wrap during the install. I only left the flange clear of bubble wrap. I got the bolted up, and tore off the stuff. Not a scratch on them. Had to take my time, and pay attention, but it is nice to have the extra padding to make life easier.

Just a tip someone passed on to me.....
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
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Mill Creek, WA
Apr 22, 2005
#5
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #5
Shakerhood said:
My Ford Racing Headers have small rust pit marks in them.
Click to expand...

If they're JetHot coated, send them back to JetHot -- they will recoat them.
 

mustangjoe87

Member
Jul 23, 2004
364
0
16
Harrison Twp., Michigan
Apr 22, 2005
#6
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #6
my bbk lontubes have surface rust, do you know if they have a warrenty like that? they have like 5 miles on them, so it kinda pisses me off
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,361
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Ohio
Apr 22, 2005
#7
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #7
89MustangGX said:
If they're JetHot coated, send them back to JetHot -- they will recoat them.
Click to expand...

I believe all Ford Racing Ceramic coated are Jet Hot. I sent pictures to Steeda where I purchased them and they passed them onto Ford which said there was nothing they could do about all the rusty pit marks!
 

blackstangt

Member
May 31, 2004
460
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ny
Apr 22, 2005
#8
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #8
Header paint worked on my flowtech longtube headers. 1500 deg primer, 2000 deg header paint. The 1500 may have been enough, but i wanted to be safe and get a good finish.
 

MustangLX-5.0

Founding Member
Dec 2, 2000
856
7
38
Lehigh Acres Fla.
Apr 22, 2005
#9
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #9
Also,if you want to preserve the original finish,try using Ultra High Temp Clear coating.I started using this clear paint on steel exhaust clamps.Yeah,I know clamps look kinda ugly but I don't have a welding kit and also don't want to have to pay a shop to weld them.I was tired of clamps rusting so bad you couldn't even turn the nuts.And this was only a month after they were installed.3 coats of high temp clear and 6 months later,still looks like the clamp just came right out of the box.

Try this on your headers.Just a thought....
 
D

Dtowncats

New Member
Jun 2, 2003
340
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York, PA
Apr 22, 2005
#10
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #10
So there really is no unrustable headers besides jet-hot. I don't want to spend 300 on frpp ceramic headers but they do have a lifetime warranty. What would be a better buy, BBK ceramic, FRPP stainless, or FRPP ceramic?
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Apr 22, 2005
#11
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #11
Dtowncats said:
So there really is no unrustable headers besides jet-hot. I don't want to spend 300 on frpp ceramic headers but they do have a lifetime warranty. What would be a better buy, BBK ceramic, FRPP stainless, or FRPP ceramic?
Click to expand...
Go with the FRPP "Jet Hot" ceramics. Pay the $300. It is more than worth it as it will cost you more than $200 for just the Jet Hot if you sent them a set of shorties.
You will thank yourself later.
Here is a picture of a set I put on a friends car more than 2 years ago and they look just as good now.
View attachment 516873
 

Killer50stang

New Member
May 11, 2004
632
0
0
Apr 22, 2005
#12
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #12
Dtowncats said:
I have heard that ceramic headers won't rust unless they get scratched. I have found a good deal on some BBK ceramic ones(new) but it is almost impossible to not scratch headers while trying to install them. How good do the FRP stainless headers hold up?
Click to expand...

Not true. Any header is going to get some kind of rust. I have NEW ceramic headers on mine and usually after the car has been stored over the winter, I have to clean the surface rust off. Nothing is rush proof.
 

mustangjoe87

Member
Jul 23, 2004
364
0
16
Harrison Twp., Michigan
Apr 22, 2005
#13
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #13
Not true. Any header is going to get some kind of rust. I have NEW ceramic headers on mine and usually after the car has been stored over the winter, I have to clean the surface rust off. Nothing is rush proof.
Click to expand...



how do you clean it off without ruining the ceramic?
 

Notchbck93

New Member
Dec 9, 2003
422
1
0
IL
Apr 22, 2005
#14
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #14
ya, sitting in the garage sucks!! Have to get the automotive bubble to keep the moisture out. In IL, I have a stainless header on my daily driver and it even rusts-- talk about suck.

My stang has the ceramic coated longtubes bbk.. they have rust, and it sits locked in the garage 95% of the year other 5% is when it is actually on the road.
 
T

TheUser

Active Member
Jul 25, 2003
1,859
1
36
Springfield, MO
Apr 22, 2005
#15
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #15
Notchbck93 said:
In IL, I have a stainless header on my daily driver and it even rusts-- talk about suck.
Click to expand...
how does stainless rust?
 

cevtv

Founding Member
Sep 15, 2002
1,113
0
37
Massachusetts
Apr 22, 2005
#16
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #16
89MustangGX said:
If they're JetHot coated, send them back to JetHot -- they will recoat them.
Click to expand...


Nope. The JetHot lifetime warranty only covers rust THROUGH, NOT surafce rust/discoloring.
 

cevtv

Founding Member
Sep 15, 2002
1,113
0
37
Massachusetts
Apr 22, 2005
#17
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #17
TheUser said:
how does stainless rust?
Click to expand...


Stainless is not "rust proof". It WILL surface rust. Look at some factory headers........they look like crap, and they are stainless............
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Apr 22, 2005
#18
  • Apr 22, 2005
  • #18
I'd have to go back and look for my paperwork, but I believe the warantee covers the finish as well.

I looked on the JetHot website, and couldnt find specifics, but I did find this regarding rust protection:

some producers of “high-tech” coatings actually promote 1,000 hour survival in this salt-spray test as a benefit. In startling contrast, JET-HOT Sterling™ withstands the same salt attack for over 5,000 hours. The testers called it quits before Sterling caved in.
Click to expand...
 

Killer50stang

New Member
May 11, 2004
632
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0
Apr 23, 2005
#19
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #19
mustangjoe87 said:
how do you clean it off without ruining the ceramic?
Click to expand...

I use wool chrome polish. usually does the job.
 

twolo4u2c2

5 Year Member
Apr 10, 2003
330
6
29
reading, PA
Apr 23, 2005
#20
  • Apr 23, 2005
  • #20
wow!!!..I have FMS ceramic for 2 years and no rust anywere. Still look new. I got about 15k on them. The car is garage kept here in PA.
 
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