Going to blast my iron exhaust manifolds and apply Calyx, which I have never used before. Is there a better coating that will keep them from rusting? Also, I have new tube nuts and want them to look nice. Is there something I can spray them with to keep them from looking bad in 6 months?

The rusty look you describe is correct you know.
But if you like the cast grey overrestored look,VHT Nu Cast manifold paint works very well.Or you could get them ceramic coated.I have found the POR-15 manifold coating just fall off in no time.

I had mine coated by Jet Hot over 8 years ago, They still look brand new. I have tried all other treatments with the same results you are discribing which is re-rust.

Ive used the Eastwood stainless silver manifold paint on the last three sets of manifolds I painted and NONE have rusted.(the silver is actually light grey)

prep work is key. If youre having them blasted make sure the blaster is wearing gloves and be sure to ask him not to handle them without gloves when he is finished. That being said you too will need to keep your bare skin from contacting the bare manifolds.

The Eastwood paint gets brushed on.after drying for several weeks you need to heat them to cure them. some have mentioned using an oven to cure them but I have always let the heat from the engine, once they are installed do the work.

These manifolds were painted in 03. I know its not the best pic but I dont have any pics with the manifolds the subject. If you want I will be able to get something over the weekend.

Wasn't there a post on this just a month ago or something? I think someone said something about soaking the manifolds in gear oil and then baking them. If the manifolds started to discolor, all that was nessesary was to rub some more oil on them.

The cheap and easy way to do this is the Eastwood manifold coating as it works great, just blast them and coat them. I brush on the coating rather then spray it. I have a set done 10 years ago that still look great.

I use VHT black header paint.After it cures it starts to turn a grey color,and touch ups are easy.

can any of the guys that had their manifolds JETHOT coated please post the cost and how long ago it was done?
I didnt know they would deal with iron manifolds, I thought they only did headers.

Mine was done 10 years ago, still looks new. Back then it was less than $200/pr, including blasting. Sorry no close-up pictures.

Mine were done 10 years ago, about $200 or $250 here is a close up if it is not to big to post

Some coatings look pretty natural but some don't look that good. Mine don't seem to be getting too rusty but I don't mind a little rust. This is after 3 1/2 years. It gives it a little "patina" instead of that over-restored look. I guess if you are going to drive it a lot or leave it parked outside, it might be worth coating them.

As mentioned above, there's a cheaper way to do the job and believe it or not it's pretty darn durable!

Take off the manifolds, media blast them clean (clean is important) immediately wipe them down 100% with a HEAVY coating of 90 Weight oil, you want them to be completely saturated with it, should be dripping off. Let them soak for a while, I allow a day or so, then wipe off any excess with a bunch of junk rags.

At this point you can do one of two things.

Option #1 (best IMO). Use a torch (propane will work) and cook off the oil the best you can. After it's burned off I apply a second coat and repeat, but it's not required, one application usually does it.

Option #2. Put them on the car and drive it around until they get good and hot.

The drawback to Option #2. is that burning off the oil creates allot of stinky smoke, you may not want that stench in your car, some guys don't mind.

Now, after you've done this the results will be a natuaral appearing manifold that is very resistant to rust, you can touch up any spots that appear to be rusting with a daub of oil now and then to maintain them. It works VERY well in my experience and costs basically nothing but some time, plus, your manifolds will look factory "correct".

Can you post a picture for everyone to see?

Most cars that are done today are over restored anyway(entire underside painted exc...)so it wouldn't bother me to get the manifolds coated. I was just wondering what the appearence of them will be if done with the oil instead of sending them out.

Could you bake the manifolds in an old oven instead of using a torch? I've been thinking of buying Eastwoods powdercoating kit and you need an old oven for that.

The last set I had done by Jet Hot was 4/08. The price without shipping was $215.00 (Big Block HP Manifolds). Shipping & handling was $27.00. If you use Jet Hot I would recommend taking the heat control valve out. Maybe someone has experience with that but I was concerned it would not function correctly after the coating was applied. I was very pleased with the results. Scott

I don't have any pics to show, when I get some I'll post them. As far as an old oven, may work but generally won't get hot enough. For the process to work best they need to get REALLY hot, beyond what most ovens will heat to, but work it does! I would use a hand held propane torch if you don't have a gas wrench. The process works very much like the process used to "season" a cast iron frying pan, only with heavier oil and more heat. Check out these pics for examples of how your manifolds will look, your results will look pretty similar.

Frying Pans

*"Most cars being over restored these days"....Does that make it right? Why not be a rebel and start a trend in the other direction

Anybody ever try to preserve the factory orange color over spray on the manifolds short of being hauled around on a trailer?