Exhaust Manifolds

[brucemillar]

Folks

My 124 exhaust manifolds are letting down the look of my engine and engine bay.

I wire brushed them , which looked much better. I then applied POR 15 with a small wire brush. This looked perfect with a gorgeous factory cast finish. What could possibly go wrong?

Well I washed the engine with my normal soapy water then some Surfex HD. When I put the hose on..... it washed the POR off!!!!!

This is not good. I have plenty of POR left but obviously I am doing something wrong or it is just not the correct stuff?

I had cleaned and wire brushed the manifold and sprayed then wiped them with panel wipe and white spirit. So they were clean and not flaky.

The POR is just not sticking. This despite the above and several run outs to get the painted manifolds nice and hot. I had thought maybe it is a heat treatment that was required?

So then I tried a small amount of VHT Satin Black Paint. Not good. This went white when hot and fell off.

What do we do? I do not want to remove the manifolds for ceramic coating (that is a lie) I actually do want to do this but Mrs M will kill me if I spend more money and I want to live to enjoy the car.

Are there any known good brush paints (prefer to paint as it's easy access). I also am happy with some colour (white is good)

 

[a111r]

What about that graphite paste used on old cast iron fireplaces? (yes, I'm decorating...)
Nice colour, might not last so long.

 

[whitenemesis]

How about a wrap?

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motor...tion/design-engineering-titanium-exhaust-wrap

 

[roadhog]

I used this stuff on my diesel manifold for a laugh. I wasn't after any sort of show finish, just a tidy up really before the engine went in.
Easy to apply after a very quick clean up with a wire brush and 4k miles later it still looks the same.

Gratuitous picture of engine attached, the eagle eyed among you might just spot the manifold.

 

[a111r]

I used this stuff on my diesel manifold for a laugh. I wasn't after any sort of show finish, just a tidy up really before the engine went in.
Easy to apply after a very quick clean up with a wire brush and 4k miles later it still looks the same.

Gratuitous picture of engine attached, the eagle eyed among you might just spot the manifold.

KKD?

 

[ss201]

This product has been successfully used by numerous Mercedes-Benz Club members (myself included). It works really well on rusty (bare) cast iron manifolds, but in your case it may not be 100% effective as you've already treated it with other products.

Calyx UK

 

[brucemillar]

How about a wrap?

Design Engineering Titanium Exhaust Wrap | Demon Tweeks

Can't say I like the look of that at all ;ˆ)

 

[brucemillar]

This product has been successfully used by numerous Mercedes-Benz Club members (myself included). It works really well on rusty (bare) cast iron manifolds, but in your case it may not be 100% effective as you've already treated it with other products.

Calyx UK

Ah. This is the same as POR. It is a dressing so will wash off. It looks fantastic when it is applied. But a careless waft of the nozzle and its gone.

 

[whitenemesis]

How about a wrap?

Design Engineering Titanium Exhaust Wrap | Demon Tweeks

Can't say I like the look of that at all ;ˆ)

Not too impressed myself tbh but an option, a performance version, lowering engine bay temperature and hiding the corroded manifold.....

Just admit it, you want the ceramic coating eh, eh,,,, go for it

 

[hotrodder]

To get any vht paint to stick properly to manifolds or exhausts the parts really need sandblasting to provide a decent key. Some 80 grit abrasives might suffice, wire brushes will leave things too smooth

Less is usually more and several thin dustings better than fewer thicker coats. Whether it's cured in an oven or on the car a few shorter heat cycles (with the time & temp increasing) is usually better than one longer & hotter session

Dunno if POR 15 is supposed to be OK for exhaust temps but personally i think it's even more overrated than hammerite

Longshot but are there any threaded bosses on the manifolds? There's a bunch of them on m104 manifolds for a heatshield (presumably not bothered with on the m103 as it doesn't have an airbox sitting above it?). Fairly easy to hide the ugly with a stainless offcut if there's anything to mount it to

 

[brucemillar]

Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic.......

 

[Alex]

Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic.......

Zircotec coating is very good

 

[Trickythemerc]

Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic. Must stop thinking ceramic.......

Shhh..!!! Bruce the ceramic demons are listening to you your only escape is to have the manifold done

 

[A250 Bennyboy]

Get them wrapped it looks good and keeps the temp down

 

[brucemillar]

Get them wrapped it looks good and keeps the temp down

In Karl's pics it looks like a disfigured elephants trunk.

An update to follow shortly, when I have taken some pics of my latest efforts.

 

[brucemillar]

Okay. An hour with a wire brush and a good wash with panel wipe (pre paint). Some masking up, Then some Halfords VHT Alloy coloured rattle can.

So far it is sticking with no bubbling or lifting. Fingers crossed.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[roadhog]

Looks great but I think you missed a bit...

 

[brucemillar]

Looks great but I think you missed a bit...

.....and so it goes on. In the bottom left of my picture. There is a lagged pipe that looks like it is powering a 1930's Clyde Steamer. I may have to re-lag this just to keep up the appearances. Oh dear..

 

[roadhog]

You mean the PAS hoses? They should both have some sort of heat protection on them where they run near the manifolds.

Is that overspray I detect on the dipstick tube...?

 

[brucemillar]

You mean the PAS hoses? They should both have some sort of heat protection on them where they run near the manifolds. Is that overspray I detect on the dipstick tube...?

That's not overspray. It's character ;^)

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK