Protecting Headers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

85Bowtie · 05-06-2009, 07:54 AM

Ok, I know this is not a Chevy question, but here goes.

I took my old R/T out of hibernation yesterday for a trip to Sunoco for a quick fillup of refreshing, always satisfying, leaded 110.

Before I took it out, I checked the engine out and noticed the headers started rusting up again, they're Hooker Super Comp ceramic coated so I can't really paint them.

I usually take a Scotch Brite and rub them down when this starts happenening and it looks alot better.

I was thinking after work today, I'll rub them down again, but I'll spray some WD-40 on them to keep moisture from ruining them.

It should burn off next time I start the car and not catch fire.

What do you guys think?

swb85 · 05-06-2009, 10:10 AM

There's nothing you can do, mild steel headers (even ceramic coated) will rust eventually....the coating just delays the inevitable. I'd think you're doing more harm than good with the scotchbrite, probably taking some of the coating off.

Love the smell of 110 in the morning.

blazer2007 · 05-06-2009, 10:18 AM

I heard wiping tranny fluid on them,turns them black,I,ve yet to try it

Pyrotechnic · 05-06-2009, 01:39 PM

Never Dull metal polish seems to take the rust right off. My dad started rubbing them with it and I didn't think it would work, but sure enough, the rust came off. Of course if the rust is already through the ceramic coating, it won't help, but if it's just on the surface it it should work.

85Bowtie · 05-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Cool, thanks.

Can I pick that up at walmart or any other auto parts store?

SkylineNXS · 05-06-2009, 02:32 PM

almost any metal or chrome polish should be abrasive enough to remove the rust...just my .02

BRAD

79gmcc15 · 05-06-2009, 02:44 PM

would wrapping the headers work once you get the rust off?

Pyrotechnic · 05-06-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

Cool, thanks.

Can I pick that up at walmart or any other auto parts store?

I got mine at Wal-Mart. Comes in a silver can and is a wadding style polish. Only costs a few bucks.

http://www.eagleone.com/pages/produc...=1006&cat=5006

05-06-2009, 07:54 AM	#1
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Protecting Headers Ok, I know this is not a Chevy question, but here goes. I took my old R/T out of hibernation yesterday for a trip to Sunoco for a quick fillup of refreshing, always satisfying, leaded 110. Before I took it out, I checked the engine out and noticed the headers started rusting up again, they're Hooker Super Comp ceramic coated so I can't really paint them. I usually take a Scotch Brite and rub them down when this starts happenening and it looks alot better. I was thinking after work today, I'll rub them down again, but I'll spray some WD-40 on them to keep moisture from ruining them. It should burn off next time I start the car and not catch fire. What do you guys think? __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73

05-06-2009, 10:10 AM	#2
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: Protecting Headers There's nothing you can do, mild steel headers (even ceramic coated) will rust eventually....the coating just delays the inevitable. I'd think you're doing more harm than good with the scotchbrite, probably taking some of the coating off. Love the smell of 110 in the morning. __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD

05-06-2009, 10:18 AM	#3
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: Protecting Headers I heard wiping tranny fluid on them,turns them black,I,ve yet to try it

05-06-2009, 01:39 PM	#4
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Protecting Headers Never Dull metal polish seems to take the rust right off. My dad started rubbing them with it and I didn't think it would work, but sure enough, the rust came off. Of course if the rust is already through the ceramic coating, it won't help, but if it's just on the surface it it should work. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

05-06-2009, 02:09 PM	#5
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: Protecting Headers Cool, thanks. Can I pick that up at walmart or any other auto parts store? __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73

05-06-2009, 02:32 PM	#6
SkylineNXS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 658	Re: Protecting Headers almost any metal or chrome polish should be abrasive enough to remove the rust...just my .02 BRAD __________________ 2000 GMC Sierra EXT Cab Short 4x4, finally mine... 1966 C10 SWB Fleet, 250 I6, three on the tree.... Previously Owned.... 1987 Chevy R10 "Silverado" (at least the badges were) Short Step 350 700r4.... 1972 Chevy LWB Fleet 350/350 EXTENDED CAB ALL THE WAY! .._..~...-...._...____ .._..-...______\|_\|__\____ ..-..~.\|_(O)__\|_\|__\|_(O)]

05-06-2009, 02:44 PM	#7
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: Protecting Headers would wrapping the headers work once you get the rust off? __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby



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