cleaning headers

Topic: cleaning headers (Read 2285 times) previous topic - next topic

cleaning headers

July 14, 2006, 09:10:54 PM

i just got my mustang headers from Couger8775 and i need to know how i can clean them.

is it ok for me to sand them down and repaint them?

just want to make sure, and is there any certain type of paint i should use?

i was thinking engine paint but can i get it in a spray can.

cleaning headers

Reply #1 – July 14, 2006, 09:15:36 PM

you can get header paint, but it will only last a year or so before flaking badly. I would just sand blast them or maybe just paint over them. You wont really be able to tell. Specially if its black

cleaning headers

Reply #2 – July 14, 2006, 09:23:28 PM

dont have sand blaster but i got saand paper. will that work.
and i have a dent on the driver side header or is that how they are made. it is on the first tube from the front and is on the back end of the pipe, is that right

cleaning headers

Reply #3 – July 14, 2006, 09:28:22 PM

I say take a wire brush to them. If you are leaveing them on the car Clean them with super clean and then go over them with corase steelwool. The header paint isn't that good. I know Eastwood has some stuff they claim last a long time.

cleaning headers

Reply #4 – July 14, 2006, 09:53:38 PM

how much is that eastwood paint?

they are off the car, would on of those wire wheels for a drill work like these i have both of these

http://img.nextag.com/image/Milwaukee_4_Carbon_Steel/0/000/000/859/507/85950793.jpg

or

http://img.nextag.com/image/Milwaukee_48_52_5070/0/000/000/626/071/62607179.jpg

cleaning headers

Reply #5 – July 14, 2006, 11:41:41 PM

That would work fine. But a brass would not remove much metal just rust and other . I don't remeber how much that eastwood paint stuff is. but here is a link to the page you need. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=394&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=390&iSubCat=394
I'm not shure witch one would be the best but they sell high quality stuff judging from the things I've bought from them.

cleaning headers

Reply #6 – July 15, 2006, 12:20:34 AM

is that dent there for clearance? i cant mock them because i am 1000 miles from my car.

how or what should i use to clean out the inside of the pipes?

cleaning headers

Reply #7 – July 15, 2006, 12:22:47 AM

Unless there's really something obstructing the pipe, don't worry about cleaning the inside. Don't worry about the dent either.

cleaning headers

Reply #8 – July 15, 2006, 01:06:42 AM

That dent IS supposed to be there to allow clearance for the steering shaft...I thought the same thing when I first got into mustangs years ago...Header paint generally doesn't last that long...I've tried 1600* header paint...following directions to a "T", they only took about 2 weeks for the paint to completely flake off of the headers, I also tried some ultra hi-temp header paint with ceramic...lasted about the same amount of time, but the primaries(near the ) still look kinda ok...only really scratched from me changing plugs frequently...I would think that it should work decent on shorty style headers though...I don't think my longtubes heated up enough near the collectors to really bake that paint on good...about halfway down the headers it's all gone....get the best header paint you can afford and follow the directions exactly...it needs to be baked on in cycles...shorties are small enough to fit in an oven...however you can't get a regular household oven to 600* for the final baking cycle...and you don't want to handle them unless the paint is fully cured according to their directions...

Hope that helps, just trying to provide as much info as I can for ya!

-Don

cleaning headers

Reply #9 – July 15, 2006, 01:16:33 AM

use wal-mart 98 cent flat black or silver sand them good paint em but use light coats and do not put it on thick just enough to cover the tubes will be great and put them on it last much longer then header paint i painted a set of cast iron manifolds 6 years ago and the still look good to this day.

cleaning headers

Reply #10 – July 15, 2006, 11:55:07 AM

thanks guys

what about cleaning the tubes out, i figure since they are off the i might as well clean them up the best i can.

and i have to pack them with my new clothes on the flight home (long story wasnt planning on flying home)

some choke/ carb cleaner and a wire brush

cleaning headers

Reply #11 – July 15, 2006, 01:34:20 PM

pack them in a plastic bag, problem solved...you'll drive yourself nuts trying to clean out the baked on carbon inside the tubes.

cleaning headers

Reply #12 – July 15, 2006, 01:50:39 PM

cant i pour something in them just to get some of the cabon out before i install them.

i was thinging some seafoam. is there anything else that you guy think would work good.

even if it doesnt work i am going to try it.

plastic bag was a must anyways.

cleaning headers

Reply #13 – July 15, 2006, 02:15:24 PM

I say use the Seafoam or the carb cleaner. But before you do it use aluminum foil and cover the openings I use black tape to hole the foil on. then pour or spary your stuff in there. Then cover the last hole. Let them sit for 30min or so but turn them over and such so it gets soaked on all sides. Plus some will leak out most of it will stay in there and clean it real good. I know it work on my 2.3 exhust mani. Anyhow just my 2cents.

cleaning headers

Reply #14 – July 15, 2006, 03:36:19 PM

gonna try in about done grinding them down. going to get paint and new circle wire cup.

startes to rain and i wore the first cup down when i was almost done.