TC exhaust manifold finnish

[ian theobald]

My new heat shield has just arrived and seems a shame to install when it is gleaming and shiny against an old manifold that is part bare cast iron on top corners
I am reluctant to disturb as it does not leak and the thought of a stud breaking as well.
The old finnish originally appeared white but on brushing with a wire brush would seem that it was silver.
That being so is it possible to coat in silver paint or in my case i have spray can of aluminium coloured rust guard epoxy enamel that I have sprayed into a jar and so far have brush touched just the manifold clamps that hold the thing on.
If you can use heat proof black paint then maybe will this stuff work.
Many years ago I painted an exhaust pipe with silver frost out of a tin with good results and many mufflers seem to have a painted finnish when new.
Has any one got some suggestions.
By the way my carburetters were held on by bolts not studs but soon realised cannot fit longer bolts but was able to purchase some exhaust manifold studs at the correct length and thread [only size place had in stock ] in our small town that even has whitwoth ,unf bsf etc in stock .
Have painted the air filter and at first tried a black gloss paint [Galmet epoxy rust guard ] but in the end used a semi gloss /satin in the same brand that looks almost a gloss finnish.
It,s funny how the cheaper brands are more satin and flat wheras the brand I used was twice as expensive ,then again a cheaper brand gave a perfect finnish to engine cases on my 1976 Yamaha RD 250 2 stroke so just need to experiment.
Any ideas on a simple touch up would be apreciated but at least the heat shield covers most of manifold,hope it does it,s job though Ian theobald

[ian theobald]

Found out that original finish was a sprayed aluminium so did a bit of shopping and the local auto shop actually had flat aluminium in a can so I have buffed old finish with a small dremmel and applied spray can contents by brush from a small jar over manifold.
As most of the original was ok i am hoping other stuff will stay on.
There was another product in a tin at triple the price but all I really want at the momement is a touch up and the amount in the tin would probably paint 3 or more manifolds as it was a Litre tin.
Will post some pics of completed job later Ian Theobald

[Gene Gillam]

Ian, hopefully the paint you selected is suitable for exhaust manifold temperatures. The original finish was a blown aluminum, in other words, melted aluminum sprayed on to the cast iron manifold surface, not a high temp paint.

Good luck!

[Steve Simmons]

I have not found any modern finish that accurately replicates the original aluminized coating. I have an original manifold with the factory finish intact that I can post photos of if it would help. Jet Hot has a decent looking alternative that is far more durable than the original. I believe it's called "sparkle" finish. I've tried spray paints and they never seem to last.

[ian theobald]

So true,On my yamaha motor cycle i have to touch fins up at least once a year but as it is only touch up with the same coating is not noticeable.
I am hoping this will be the same with the manifold as it is only tops that have lost their coating ,the rest is ok but is hidden by the new heat shield.
If paint comes of will simply apply more by brush as used only a fraction from the spray can [High temp flat aluminium for exhaust manifolds] From what I have coated so far seems to look ok but old finish was off white till I buffed with miniture wire wheel.
One day if exhaust manifold leaks will get coated properly but have too many memories of rusted studs breaking when fiddle fingers should of just left undisturbed.
The new heat shield certainly looks the part and is so shiny that shows up the dirty side of SU carburettors that is normally hidden out of sight so have been busy cleaning as well.
Ian theobald