Exhaust Manifold Restoration

What do people normally do for manifolds?

Do you sandblast them and put a high temperature coating on them like this?



Or skip the sandblasting, take a wire brush to them and put a graphite coating on them like this?



Should they look grayish in color or black or what?

Thanks.

 

For looks and durability, I think ceramic coating is the way to go although it wouldn't be correct for a restoration.

 

I went with the KBS XTC High Temperature Paint (aerosol). I have about 2,000 miles on these since they were installed and they still look good (like they did when I painted them). My car has AC, so you really can't see them on the passenger side. I had the machine shop that was doing the block and cylinder head work blast them for me. The white paint was on these in 1986 when purchased.

 

More: https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/painting-stock-exhaust-manifolds.361908/#post-3115605

 

Cleaning Manifolds with Dry Ice

 

Jet-Hot!!! https://www.jet-hot.com/

I had my SBB cast iron manifolds coated with their Cast Iron color way back in 2006. Still looks good, no chips, etc, although the color isn't quite as "rich" as it was when new.
It's be very difficult to beat the quality, durability, etc of Jet-Hot coatings.

 

$155 is quote. Not sure if that is for pair or just one, but they say they have lifetime guarantee. If they start to exhibit corrosion, then they will re-coat them for free.

 

By cast iron color do you mean more black or gray?

 

The second example (gray), fairly close to raw, just-cast cast iron manifolds.

 

Thanks. That looks good.

 

Received detal estimate from jet-hot for pair of exhaust manifolds. $465 but free return shipping.

 

Sandblast and Calyx. Save some money. They will look as good. Easy to touch up when they don't!