I have 2 sets of TTI headers. The first set on my big wedge are over 12 years old. The others on my Hemi are 5 or 6 years old. Both have the coating flaking and rust popping out in numerous spots around the collectors and lower parts of the tubes. The cars do not get put into hibernation. At least once a month in the winter we get a nice 50 degree day or two and I get them out, drive them for an hour or so, and put some fresh gas in them before I park them again. They are parked indoors on concrete, but it is not climate controlled.

I called TTI and asked them about this. The first thing they asked is if I coated the lower parts with WD40 when I parked them. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I don't. I did tell him that especially the wedge had a rear main leak that kept at least the pass side a bit coated and it is still rusted. I asked if he thought the WD40 might do a better job through the oil in preventing the scaling and rust. He changed the subject and I never got an answer.

Has anyone else experienced this issue with TTI headers? Is spraying them with WD40 when being parked for a month or so reasonable? Does anyone coat their headers like that when parked?

I am debating between getting another set of coated TTIs and spraying them every time I park it for more than a couple of weeks as TTI suggested. Or sending these headers to Jet-Hot. I will call Jet-Hot tomorrow and get their low down.

I am open to thoughts on this. The TTIs headers themselves are very good headers. Probably the best in the business. I just wonder if there are better coatings than tti offers for these otherwise superior headers.





Okay, I bought another set of TTIs. Because they said that they had updated the driver's side to accommodate the Borgeson box that I am installing. Now, to be clear, these are a discounted set said to be due to scratches, bumps, and bruises. Here is what I unboxed:




I talked with CCP. I will likely have them strip and coat these headers. But it is costly.

Given this experience, I would suggest that everyone forgo TTI's ceramic coating. It simply does not hold up for many end users as this thread has born out.

Never heard of the WD-40 thing.

You may be better off parking the car over some plywood sheets or carpet vs over bare concrete? I had a rental storage unit I put a car in and the floor deep into the space had constant damp spots on it. Concrete will absorb water and sweat it out wherever it wants to. I bought a bunch of thin plywood and spread it out to help block the moisture from coming up.

TTI should just make their headers out of stainless steel as an option for those that want it. Price would go up, but it may be better than going in circles with coatings. I knew a powdercoat guy here years ago who would do header coatings too until the material price took off and it became way more than what reasonable people would pay for it. Like as in the coating application was about the same as buying new headers.

Jet Hot is expensive from the one item they did for me. Look into Cerakote and see what they have and if there are any applicators in your area.

BTW I know someone who had their Hooker headers ceramic coated locally years ago and they got some chips and oil stains on them that would not come out so they painted VHT header paint over the top and they have looked good since then, Not as shiny as the ceramic coating though.

Dave I have a scaly rusty-ish set of TTI headers also (SB). I cannot recall the year I bought them but I paid plenty for them to ceramic coat. Within short time they were turning to scaly rust so I called, not so happy after paying $1000 total. They told me they had been farming out the coating, and had an issue with the companies coating. They said I could send them back to have the coating replaced. No thanks. Not uninstalling and paying shipping and waiting for return month later (or more). My only complaint ever with TTI Headers.

Yep !!! mine rusted after a few years especially around the flange weld by the bolt holes .. the rest of the header is okay ..still upsets me considering how much I paid for the headers and the ceramic coating

WD-40 is such a lightweight oil, that it dissipates rather quickly in free air. If it indeed helps, it must be during initial time exposure of recent use IMO of less than say a month (?), and which I don't understand why.

So, does the coatings hold up better then the old age header paint? Do the coated headers hold up better then bare steel headers?

The number of heating and cooling cycles, the temperature range the headers see, the fact they hang down under the chassis without protection, are all things headers have to go through. That has to make it hard for any protective finish to endure.

Stainless steel header tubes get brittle and the tubes tend to stress crack.

The header business has always had long life issues. One really only needs to look at how many cast iron exhaust manifolds have failed over the years, and one might give headers a bit of a break.

Every ceramic coated header I've installed on customers cars did exactly what yours is only sooner. The only exception being jet hot or VHT. Myself I prefer the VHT. have a set on my 38 that were done ~ 30 years ago and no issues. The car does not see daily use but has racked up 10k or so miles. the other 2 items i like are
1. the cost, 2. easily touched up if needed. I use the SP117 flat aluminum.

It isn't just the TTI headers. The Cyclone has a 351 Windsor so my only choice was Hooker SuperComp headers. I've noticed the exact same thing after having the car back for 3 years. Odd, My Trans Am has BlackJack Alumacoat headers on it and has since 1982. They basically look just like my almost new Hookers.

I installed TTI headers with ceramic coating on my RoadRunner 20 years ago..
And about 5 years later the ceramic coating was lifting, since TTI was local I talked directly with Sam(owner).
He said bring the headers back and they will recoat them @ TTI as originally they were being sent out to a subcontractor.
I took them back to TTI, left them, got call about 5 days later that they were ready for pickup.
I went out picked them up, installed them and to this day the ceramic coating has held up well..
But as a precaution I have used the attached link ceramic header polish every few years...

Just my $0.02...

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...wrOjCgwMVRymtBh3gjwcPEAQYAiABEgK0QPD_BwE

Every set of headers I've had, I bought them ceramic coated from the manufacturer. I've had TTI, Hooker, and Patriot headers. They all rusted somewhat after a few years.
Never heard of the WD-40 treatment.

Next time I'll try a coating from someone like Jet-Hot.

The ceramic coating is still way better and more durable than any header paint I've seen.

I had some headers that I had ceramic coated locally some years ago. Not sure what company did it since it was a while ago. They were no better than what the rest of you described. They rusted near the collector area.

Its all headers, exhaust manifolds, pipes. And it will continue.

Last time I did this I figured might as well just go stainless now and save the headache later.

OP asked about TTI suggested about preventive use of WD-40, and that is all but ignored in the replies here so far.

I don't see WD-40 doing much for preventing rust in storage. It doesn't work well at all for preventing rust on machined engine parts. It evaporates or drains off pretty quickly.
Regardless, I believe it's more of a heat issue than it is a damp/wet environment during storage.
Like I said in my previous post, I have never heard of anyone spraying headers w/ WD-40. I have heard of getting uncoated headers hot and then wiping them down w/ ATF. Doing that a few times supposedly will "coat" them and keep them from corroding.

https://www.qccoatings.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054537425857 In Michigan QC is who we use. Bill will take care of you. He's the best. My racecar headers were done in 2012. Though not quite a shiny when new they still look good. The TTiI's On my wifes Challenger were getting a tad rusty. Had QC recoat them in 2019 . They still look like new.
Doug

Do anyone have any real world experience how these high temp coatings hold up on SS exhaust tubing?

No offense meant but I'm guessing it's being ignored as it sounds like pass the buck BS, to me anyway. Having owned a classic car resto/ repair shop for 25 years the only coating that has held up over time is Jet Hot or VHT. Believe me, we have tried many. The manufacturer applied coatings are a flat rip off IMO. One is lucky if they hold up more than 1-2 years in the collector area and near the exh ports

The biggest issue with Jet hot is you have to (should) buy the headers, do a trial fit (STRONGLY ADVISED), then ship them to JH and wait for them to come back. By the time you add up all the shipping and time it's quite costly. BUT they have even stood up to dyno break-ins without discoloring a bit
My next choice as previously mentioned is the VHT SP117 flat Aluminum. When properly applied to a sandblasted surface it lasts.

About 10 or 15 years ago Jet Hot tried a program in which you gave them the MFR. & part #. They would get the headers, coat and ship them to you. great idea as it saved a lot of time and cost. Didn't last due to fitment issues and customers wanting JH to refund the $$

If I end up with new TTIs, I may try the WD40 thing. I don't have any confidence in it. But may try it in the 'what do you have to lose' vein.