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Recently read about using graphite dry lubricant to improve the appearance of original exhaust manifolds. Seemed a bit daunting and time consuming to me to pull the manifolds and do the 'perfect' job on them, so I decided to do them while they were on the car. If you take your time you can do this and get a nice result. I bought some 18" wide x 50' brown painter's paper ($5 at Home Depot) and covered my entire engine bay except for the manifolds. The paper is easy to work with and can easily be worked in between the manifold and valve covers and tucks well in other crevices to block overspray. I also covered my front fenders with the paper to ensure any spray didn't accidentally get on my fenders. I used blue painter's tape where needed to keep the protective paper in place. I did not have much rust on my manifolds (I had been using WD40 in the past to clean them up and slow down rust) but I did lightly brush them with a small wire brush then wiped them down. I used a can of Blaster Graphite Dry Lubricant and carefully applied two coats (15 minutes between coats). Pulled all the painter's paper off then sprayed some of the graphite into a small container and used a 1/2" brush to apply the graphite to any spots I missed while spraying (there were very few spots to touch up). If you prefer, you can take a rag or a soft brush and buff the finish so it looks a little more like fresh cast iron (a little lighter in hue - I did not buff mine). The graphite lasts much longer than the WD40 application, can withstand temperatures much higher than the manifolds reach, does not burn off but may get a little duller over much time, and touch up is very easy by using a rag sprayed with graphite and dabbing the manifolds or brushing on in areas that may need more attention. Note that the last picture is of one of the manifolds before I applied the graphite. Hope this is helpful to anyone cleaning up their engine and bay.
Btw - someone with a keen eye called me out a ways back on my valve covers being on incorrect sides (good catch!). I just prefer seeing the crossed flags emblem more often as I find myself on the driver side of the car more often
Last edited by brookiez28; 02-21-2024 at 07:07 PM.
Reason: adding photo
I used the dry graphite lub as well on the exhaust manifolds and quite pleased with the results. I was refreshing the entire engine bay so I did it with the manifolds off...good stuff!
It looks good. Sounds like you spent as much time taping off your intire engine compartment as it would have took to pull them however.
The results look great none the less. How long does it hold up?
It looks good. Sounds like you spent as much time taping off your intire engine compartment as it would have took to pull them however.
The results look great none the less. How long does it hold up?
Thanks. Took me about 20-30 minutes to apply the paper and masking. Entire project was less than 90 minutes. I've read that the appearance can last for years and just minor touch up required over time. Definitely better look than cleaning 2x/year with brush and WD40. I'll know how well it holds up this season 👍
That looks great! I did the same to my manifolds using stove polish. It looks about the same as yours, but I had to brush it on. A spray would be much easier in some of the tight areas.
brookiez28,
Thank you for sharing the idea of using Blaster Gray Graphite Lubricant. Never even considered using that to freshen up the exhaust manifolds and yours look great. Much easier to do than what I did. Wished I had seen this post before October 2023.
Just passing this along as another option for anyone interested.
I pulled my exhaust manifolds off the car and media blasted them
I used Paragon manifold dressing spray paint (2) 3-oz. cans and I have about a 1/3 remaining for future touch-ups
Friend of mine has an old oven in his shed that he uses to bake car parts so that is how we cooked my exhaust manifolds. DO NOT USE YOUR WIFE'S OVEN. She will kill you!!!!
I've also heard of people using their outdoor grills to cook the manifolds to 400 degrees.
If you go the dressing spray paint cooking route, be sure to have plenty of fresh air available...they do smoke a lot during the initial cooking / tempering process
Paragon manifold dressing spray paint results turned out nice for me but your Blaster Gray Graphite Lubricant is certainly much easier to do than what I did.
Kevin
After media sand blasting Bought this from Corvette Central who now carries Paragon parts. After the dressing paint was applied, I did 2-3 light coats After baking at 400 degrees for 60 minutes.
Has anyone tried this, and if yes what were the results and were you pleased how they came out?
I have ( CALYX ) easy & amazing results. I just put on a surgical glove & rubbed it in with my fingers looks great & lasts a long time !! Inexpensive & no tape off required
Has anyone tried this, and if yes what were the results and were you pleased how they came out?
used it on mine off the car, wire wheeled the manifolds, cleaned then applied, used it on prior cars and have been impressed.
holding up well after install and driving
brookiez28,
Thank you for sharing the idea of using Blaster Gray Graphite Lubricant. Never even considered using that to freshen up the exhaust manifolds and yours look great. Much easier to do than what I did. Wished I had seen this post before October 2023.
Just passing this along as another option for anyone interested.
I pulled my exhaust manifolds off the car and media blasted them
I used Paragon manifold dressing spray paint (2) 3-oz. cans and I have about a 1/3 remaining for future touch-ups
Friend of mine has an old oven in his shed that he uses to bake car parts so that is how we cooked my exhaust manifolds. DO NOT USE YOUR WIFE'S OVEN. She will kill you!!!!
I've also heard of people using their outdoor grills to cook the manifolds to 400 degrees.
If you go the dressing spray paint cooking route, be sure to have plenty of fresh air available...they do smoke a lot during the initial cooking / tempering process
Paragon manifold dressing spray paint results turned out nice for me but your Blaster Gray Graphite Lubricant is certainly much easier to do than what I did.
Kevin
After media sand blasting Bought this from Corvette Central who now carries Paragon parts. After the dressing paint was applied, I did 2-3 light coats After baking at 400 degrees for 60 minutes.
The results look great, KS69Coupe! Yes, that's a good deal of work but will probably last a lifetime. Hopefully mine will only need minor touch up when the time comes!
I personally went with ceramic coated aftermarket 2 1/2 inch manifolds. Just a tad more work I guess with the necessary upgrade to the exhaust system.
But I'm certainly happy with the results!
And this was done years ago. Still looking great.
beats the heak out of my rusty 2 inch factory manifolds.
But yes, a bit of an upgrade on the exhaust system to connect. However that was a performance upgrade as well. Worth the effort.
02-21-2024, 06:55 PM
Refresh your exhaust manifolds while on the car
