What did you do to your truck today!

[Jeffs70]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

So what is your trick to getting a finish on them that will hold up? I've never had anything work for long.

Hey 68 TT, First is cleaning them properly and sanding them down by hand and take your time to do it to get a smooth enough surface and get all the grim off that maybe there. then take some solvent or grease remover to remove any left over dust or anything that will prevent what ever finish you plan on putting onto the headers also do not touch the headers with bare hands at all other then in places you will not worry about getting any dirt on, I then have a buddy of mine that owns a powder coating business and will put the headers in his ovens for a while, then while they are still hot and headed spray them with ceramic coated header paint that holds up under 1800 Degree's heat and let it bake in while heating them up again in the oven. after they are finished and cooled off. take them out and make sure the surface is just how you may like it. you can sand again to get it smooth as you wish then follow the process over if they are not as you like. I know this twice already and I drove the trucks for around 5 years and never had a problem with the finish, alot of times the cleaning of the finish is what causes a problem if not done right. just like any paint job on any car or any surface. least this is my thoughts any how.

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

Really good question.

I had a two sets ceramic coated. Sort of a shiny aluminum floating in ceramic bake-on product. You all know what that is.
The first set worked for as long as I had that truck. But it was serious bucks to have done.

And, as an aside, I took the other set I had been given by a friend for yet another truck. They were a little pitted. The same coater, a pro for sure,
said they would come out with some "cottage cheese" in the bad spots, after they blasted them. I still went for it...For about two bills +.
They looked okay when they were done. But only until I put them on the truck and started it up. Blew three inch holes in both sides.

Bye-bye $$$$$$. I was stupid. The upside? I won't do that again. I'll only ever coat new headers.

I don't expect this chrome will last too long.

oh no thats got to suck about blowing the holse in your headers sorry to hear that. I have heard about this happening to used headers before but never experienced it. that is also why I purchased new headers instead of used.