Header Heat Shield

I used Rustoleum high heat engine primer and paint. It came out really nice. BUT... A year n a half later now it has chipped like crazy and I have to do it again. I say if you do paint it only keep it on for shows and what not cuz eventually its gonna chip off from being so hot all the time....

xbinrochester said:

I used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel with Ceramic to paint mine. I painted it last Spring and no problems so far.

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Tell me exactly how you did yours. Did you sand? How many coats, etc etc. I'm going for a color that will match with my carbon fiber engine cover.

I think prepping it is the key to having the paint last. After removing the shield from the car, I used a product called Auto Prep made by Clean-Strip to remove any oils or road film. I then lightly sanded everything for a bonding surface for the paint to adhere to. I then cleaned it again with the Auto prep to remove any of the sanding residue. I then sprayed on thin coats of the Engine Enamel waiting 15 minutes between coats. I do not remember how many coats I applied, but the can calls for 2 thin coats followed by a medium coat, which sounds about what I did. I let it cure for a week before reinstalling it. I also while the bolts were out, sprayed them too to match the shield.

Hope that helps!

on my last box i used G2 caliper paint. it cured real nice, never chipped or burned and was easy to keep clean.

Thanks everyone...I'll let you know how it comes out when it's done.

xbinrochester said:

I used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel with Ceramic to paint mine. I painted it last Spring and no problems so far.

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ditto !

Dupli-Color Engine Enamel only has a heat resistance of 500 degrees... Eventually yours will chip off too, btw sanding it wont make a difference its designed to bond to metal without prep, its all about the temperature. You need exhaust paint not engine paint because the headers get waaaaaay hotter than the engine... Im currently looking for a good paint with heat resistance over 2,000 degrees, Im just having a hard time finding the color I want.

what is the shield made of?

Stamped cheap steel. I used Rustoleum 500 degree as well. No prep, pulled it off and painted it after wiping it off. No oils or grease are going to be an issue on something used to dissipate high heat. Just sprayed 5 coats, one every two hours in a 90+ degree garage.

I used krylon heat paint or something.

I want to have mine Chromed

Shiney!

****, thats shiny.

wow! nice job!

Chrome's not my thing but kudo's for trying something new. I've not seen many heat shields done up. Eventually I'll be changing out the headers so I can't justify spending more money than a can of spray paint on mine.

You need to hear my car before you decide you want a header. Still trying to decide if its worth it.