I have a stock'ish appearing 440 engine that I am using headers on. The ceramic had started to rust so I blasted them and will paint them. What color will look good with a stock engine and what paint do you like?

My TTI headers are ceramic coated, but some spots wore off during some aggressive cleaning. I sprayed VHT silver (A close match in color) and I like it. Later, I pulled the headers and cleaned them with Acetone and a scotch brite, then resprayed them both entirely with the VHT, not just the places I wore off the ceramic coating. They have held up fine with zero peeling. Now I find and stop oil leaks before they can stain the headers!

Another vote for VHT, I have used their coatings for many years and have been ecstatic with the durability. The only Ceramic coating that I have found comes close or worthwhile it JETHOT. We just had a set of headers done by a reputable local coater and they have discolored a bit near the exhaust ports on 3 cylinders with no apparent reason. ARRRGGGHHHH should have sent them to Jet hot or used VHT.

Been having good luck(and longevity)with VHT ceramic header 'paint'...

Great, sounds like VHT. Wondering what will look best.... Silver, Black, Cast Gray....

Don't know, but I have always used SP117 Flat aluminum

I have used Rustoleum BBQ paint in both black and silver. It tolerates heat well, but doesn't seem very resistant to chemicals (which ones I don't know, I just know some had rubbed off of my headers where I think I splashed some oil or gas).

For the difference in the price of a can, I'll probably use the VHT next time just to see if it's any better.

Great. I had actually purchased VHT flat aluminum before I created this post. I'll go with it. Thanks.

3 or 4 thin coats is better than heavy ones.

Bought the primer too. What do you think about that? Worth the effort/$?

Hmm Duuno ? Always put it over a well prepped surface. Think bare, blasted metal or sometimes, just scuffed, degreased
(think, prep, acetone, alcohol wipe down, unless the coating was thick, then BLAST and paint.
Never used the primer.

These are freshly media blasted, so I'll wipe them down good and they should be ready. Not only do they recommend the primer on the back of the paint can, but the hi-temp clear coat too. I might do that depending on the finish I get.

I've had great luck with Eastwood bright silver header paint, also had good luck with Rustoleum black BBQ paint.

Good to know. I often buy Eastwood products and using their header paint was my original plan. I got too eager too wait so ended getting some VHT from the auto parts last week. Unfortunately it got too cold to paint here this weekend, so I may still order from Eastwood.

Here's the Eastwood paint on my old 69 Dart, it never faded or changed color even on a 9 second car. It's very easy to touch up with a sponge type paint brush. You get enough paint in the can to do about 10 sets of headers!

Nice looking motor. What valve covers are those? I posted a question about the 440 source cast polished covers earlier and they look very close to those.

Headers look great...I've like the results using the eastwood paint also..Prep is the key with any brand..Easy touch-ups are a big plus here in Rustylvania

VHT semi-gloss black. It works very well even for people like me that didn't follow the directions. You do have to strip all the factory paint of 1st.

Myself, we have always just done the paint on a clean dry well prepped base. The VHT is also very easy to touch up if needed. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Eastwood gets their paint from VHT as the pic posted looks very similar. One of the guys that works here tried the clear coat on his white headers and it worked well but yellowed the color.

Good to know about the clear coat.