Painting my headers

The PO, not to be confused with the POS kind of work he did.... (ba dump bump) had a run in with a stop sign. And, in doing so, he scraped up the headers.

So, last summer, I took off the remaining paint and such from them. Alas, they are starting to rust, so, being the cheap SOB I am, I have decided to paint them using VHT paint. Even though I would love to powder coat or do someother exotic type finish to them.

Upon reading their website and the can, I can "cure" the paint on the bike by letting it warm up and then cool off.

So, my question is:

Since I will be priming them first, do I need to cure the primer coat or just the finish coat?

Second, do I cure each coat or just the end result?

Finally, to fully degrease them, what should I use? Brake cleaner? Acetone? MEK?

Since it is a coolish dare up here in the northwoods, I thought I would actually start it sooner than later.

Dan

 

i had NO idea that there was a 1200* resistant primer....

 

VHT FlameProof Coating was originally developed some 30 years ago and is now used as a protective coating for the white-hot surfaces of space-bound and re-entry vehicles.
Since its inception, numerous industrial, automotive, and electrical engineers have developed new ideas for applications. These include aerospace hardware, smoke stacks, jet engines, heat exchangers, boilers, heaters, exhaust manifolds, mufflers, steam pipes, barbecues, electrical hardware, and countless other applications where resistance to high temperatures and/or weathering is required.

Application: Apply a THIN, even coat - just enough to thoroughly COLOR. Excessive build-up is not necessary or recommended. In applications requiring heavy coating, build-up should be done in stages, each successive coat being cured as recommended below. Nominal coating wet thickness .0015'' - .002''.
VHT FlameProof coatings require no primer. For most economical use of VHT FlameProof colors on ''hard to hide'' surfaces, apply a thin coat of VHT FlameProof White or VHT FlameProof Silver base coating.

Curing: VHT FlameProof coatings will air dry in 15 to 30 minutes and, if handled with reasonable care, may be put to immediate use. Heat curing method for maximum resistance to solvents, salt spray, humidity, thermal shock and heat:
# 15 minutes at 250°F
# 30 minutes at 600°F
# 1 hour at 800°F
# 30 minutes at 1,000°F
On non-traffic surfaces and where solvent resistance is not required, VHT FlameProof coatings may be used as air-dried. Curing may be accomplished by the inherent heat of operation such as encountered in engine manifolds and exhausts, boilers, heaters, etc. or by following the curing instructions below. ALL CURING SHOULD BE DONE SLOWLY.

From what i read you do not need to prime first. And when cleaning off before paint i always use acetone.

 

+1 on the VHT. Used it on mine. stuff works great.

 

Interesting I have used VHT on and off for close to 4 decades. Frankly I always found it to be 'dissapointing'. After a few years, memory fades, so I try it again and I'm again dissapointed. Last attempt was on My Saab's Turbo.. 1200 degrees durability? My Ass !
VHT Crap lived less than 2 weeks and Yes! the surface was prepped. Simple stupid BBQ paint from Home Hardware lasts longer.
Caveat emptor Kids.

 

I used BBQ paint on my engine. I just bought a can (not spray can) and applied it with a brush. I did alot better job than I could've done with a spray can (no taping!) I'm a sign painter, so I'm more comfortable with a brush. That stuff goes on great and lasts and lasts. I never had any chips or cracking so far. I think it's alot better coating than you get with a spray can too. I haven't done my headers, but I wouldn't be afraid to use it on them.

 

POR15 has a high temp paint that is silver/aluminum in color. It also comes in black and (I think) red. Has anyone tried it?

You will want to clean and prep the surface. POR also has their marine clean to degrease and then you should do something etch the metal ... muriatic acid, phosphoric acid ...

 

I used Dupli-Color high heat engine enamel on mine a year ago and it still looks great. Seems like I used Gunk to degrease and it's held up just fine.