I have read that folks apply primer when painting an engine. I'm painting a set of heads and want to put something over the exhaust where they always burn off the paint. This says good to 1300-2000 F. I think I will topcoat it with regular red duplicolor. Also, what primer do you use on the rest of the engine (I guess I could just use the VHT Flameproof)?
I use that primer and then high temp 900 deg. red caliper paint. close to Buick red and withstands the heat.
I've had good luck with VHT high temp paint, even right on 2 stroke exhaust pipes. It did fade over time a bit but didn't burn off or turn brown. I put the color coat directly on bare metal, no primer of any type. As far as engine paint I've had success with POR-15 engine paint...good coverage with only one coat and no burn through even around exhaust ports.
I haven't found any paint that will stay on the first foot of the exhaust pipe on my 4 stroke dirt bike for even one day of hard riding. I have not painted it in a while so maybe I should try again with one of these newer paints.
Nothing I've ever tried stayed on the ex ports. Went as far as to buy a can of Eastwood super high temp exhaust paint that didnt last a week. I gave up and made a set of covers out of aluminum. Painted them high temp red and after 1000 miles still look new and ya cant tell its not stock well if ya know what to look for ya can but ya get my meaning .