Guys, What is the "Correct" exhaust manifold color? Can it be bought at an auto parts store?? Thanks, Jeff
The correct exhaust manifold color is "rust" as they were just bare cast iron and would have ended up this way within a few months in all but the driest climates. This is not acceptable to most people restoring cars however so painting them with a high heat cast iron gray color is another option. Eastwood sells a paint for this and I think there is some kind of dressing that can be rubbed into the metal that works to keep them gray as well. In my experience they all burn off so a better option would be to send them to JET HOT for their coatings process which they have in several colors including cast gray. Somewhat pricey but it works and lowers operating temps as well.
I have tried them all.......paints and none of them lasted. THE BEST product I have found is Calyx Manifold Dressing....it is some kind of graphite paste that you rub on the manifold and buff it with a crumpled up newspaper. I did this on my Corvette in 85 and 21+ years later still looks like I did it yesterday! For best results, sandblast the manifolds before applying Calyx.
