Coating Exhaust Manifolds

Exhaust manifolds can either be a cast iron, factory-type manifold or a tube steel header typically used in performance applications, though they are becoming very common in OEM applications. There are a variety of reasons for coating an exhaust manifold header. #1 Corrosion protection. The manifold will live longer as well as look nicer. Whether it is for performance or show, coating an exhaust manifold is valuable to you. #2 The coating is a thermal barrier, thus keeping heat within the manifold or header. There are a number of benefits for this. First, by keeping heat within the manifold, you're going to accelerate the exhaust gas velocity which reduces back pressure and reduces fuel contamination due to reversion. This is a performance benefit. Second, you'll reduce the surface temperature of the manifold. This means if a person comes in contact with it, they are less likely to be burned and leave skin behind. If there is a component close to it, it will not see as much heat as it would with an uncoated manifold. In addition, not as much heat will be radiated under the hood or into the engine compartment. This reduces the under hood temperature which, again, reduces the temperature of surrounding parts, such as, alternators and starters. It also reduces the amount of heat that can be drawn in through the carburetor, which is a secondary performance benefit. There are a variety of coatings that can be used on exhaust manifolds or headers.The most popular is our WOLFESHINE. This gives a near-chrome finish, tremendous corrosion protection and is an excellent thermal barrier.We recommend on cast iron, due to it's porosity, that a base coat of WOLFESHINE be put down first, then bake, then lightly sand blast, then put the Black Satin on top.We also have an insulating base coat for performance applications where WOLFESHINE is desired. This can be applied to the outside of the exhaust manifold or header, cured, lightly sand blasted, then a layer of WOLFESHINE applied over it, cured and polished. This will impart higher temperature capability allowing WOLFESHINE to be run on 9 to 1 motors, which typically have an extremely hot exhaust gas.

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