Manifold paint

Getting ready to put the exhaust manifolds on a motor for a re-power. Anyone have a product they used and is happy with? I'd rather not spring for ceramic coating.

On what? If it were a multi, i'd do it the same as the rest of the engine. It will turn white then fall off on the hot parts.

Well, I'm putting a BBC in my 725. Its getting down to the wire for Haspin. Most thats left is fab work.

Send it off and have it jet-hot coated (Ceramic) inside and out. It'll stay whatever color you make it (chrome-like up to 1700 deg, black/blue/cast grey up to 1300 deg). It will also reflect heat into the exhaust stream and not soak up as much into the metal of the manifolds. I've done this on several vehicles (headers mostly) and it works great and looks great too.

You'll need to send it off to have it done, but the results are great. Depending on your location, there may be a local shop that will do it (they franchise out the process to local shops)...

http://www.jet-hot.com/

Walnut shell blast it and leave it bare.

High temp exhaust manifold paint works as good as anything else out there but only lasts a season ot two. That would be the most authentic.
We use a slurry of powdered graphite and oil on our steam locomotive fire boxes and backheads. The oil will smoke off leaving the graphite coating which lasts a season or two.
Ceramic coatings are the most durable but are pricey and often give a gloss finish that may or may not be desirable.