Please don't bother telling me not to use header wrap. I am using the header wrap on my wife's car. For the turbo downpipe on an Audi TT.

I didn't purhcase the DEI or ThermoTec brand of paint because I thought the local parts store sold it. They don't. Without the DEI or thermotec paint fo me to choose from. All I can find is various high temp paint: 500,1000,1500, and I think 2000 degree paints.

Can I use high temp paint or is the DEI or ThermoTec paint required?

 

I'm not going to recommend using either, I don't think it will matter. Header wrap can catch fire, and become soaked with oil. Not a good combination.

Also, you do NOT want to paint the headers...I helped a friend paint his, and 200 miles later...EDIT: can't find the picture, but it was the nastiest thing I had ever seen in an engine bay. The "paint" had burned, started flaking, became sooty and black, and looked and smelled horrible. He had to take them out and have them jet-hot coated. If I can find the picture, I will post it for you.

He used 1500-degree paint.

 

I think I would just use the wrap. I have never seen a high temp paint last very long anyways and if you wrap it you wont be able to see it.. I dont think I would worroy about it rusting to much either. My Jet hot coated Longtubes are rusted pretty good. Just wrap it and never look back.

 

I'm not painting the pipe. Its the wrap that I want to paint after I wrap the turbo down pipe.

 

I dont think that would be a good Idea the wrap would hold more moisture and not evaperate it as it should.

 

http://www.designengineering.com/exhaust_wrap_faqs.html


Frequently asked Questions about Exhaust Wrap




Question: Does using Exhaust Wrap on my headers cause premature header failure?

Answer: NO! Over the years, exhaust insulating wrap has received a "bad rap" (no pun intended) and has been attributed to header failure. Studies have shown that properly insulated headers can enjoy an equally long life as their un-wrapped counterparts. As the word circulated that exhaust
insulating wrap worked for obtaining lower underhood temperatures and gaining a horsepower
advantage, many users got wrapped up (that pun thing again!) into the age long train of thought, which is - "IF A LITTLE IS GOOD, MORE IS BETTER!" This could not be further from the truth.
Excessive overlapping, double wrapping, etc. completely "mummifies " each primary tube, thus
decreasing their natural and needed ability to expand and contract as the exhaust heats and cools. Now perhaps you can begin to understand where these half-truth rumors originate.

Question: Why does the Design Engineering Exhaust Wrap have two blue lines stitched in?

Answer: We are the only manufacturer of Exhaust Wrap that provides this time saving guide line. The blue lines are actually wrap indicators which are sewn 1/4" in from the edges of the wrap. This helps act as an overlap guide so you can achieve perfect overlap during installation.

Question: What about year round usage of Exhaust Wrap on my daily driver?

Answer: Good question! As a performance enthusiast, you probably already know that your
common mild steel tube headers are prone to "rust rot" with or without the elements - let alone salted, winter roads. We strongly advise the use of our HT Silicone Coating to coat and treat the
exhaust wrap after it has been installed. This silicone based, high temperature coating, creates a protective barrier against road grime, oil, dirt and helps prevent water from being wicked up and held against your headers by the wrap.

 

looks like you know what you need to do so why the post?

 

Quote:

Originally posted by ryker77
http://www.designengineering.com/exhaust_wrap_faqs.html


Frequently asked Questions about Exhaust Wrap




Question: Does using Exhaust Wrap on my headers cause premature header failure?

Answer: NO! Over the years, exhaust insulating wrap has received a "bad rap" (no pun intended) and has been attributed to header failure. Studies have shown that properly insulated headers can enjoy an equally long life as their un-wrapped counterparts.

That's pretty un-nerving that they had to do an actual study to see whether or not headers will last as long as if they were unwrapped.

Honestly, they want you to paint the headers with silicone-based heat paint. What do you think came on my MAC headers? HTS coating (high temperature silicone). Look at them after three months:

http://www.fbodythunder.com/ramair95...headerrust.JPG

That is after three months. Imagine what they look like now, considering I've had them on for two years. I'm surprised they haven't rusted completely through.