Hey, I have a crazy idea for coating rusty headers!

[Full Size Jeeper]

In another life, I was a certified Chef through the American Culinary Federation.
Worked in the industry for years and the wife and I built and ran two restaurants from 1993 to 2014. So now to my idea, I have used a lot of cast iron pots and pans in my day, and when properly seasoned, the iron does not rust. The key to this is a very thin coat of vegetable oil, applied and heated, and then repeated over and over again.
Now I did a little research, and some material scientists suggest that the properties of flaxseed oil work best because it, unlike other oils, will become harder and tougher than any other food-grade oil through a process called polymerization. Obviously the temperature of headers is hotter than a cast iron pan will ever get, so I'am not sure if it will work, But I'am going to give it a shot. The thinner the layer of oil, the better and more uniform the coating should be. What say you!!!!!

[Full Size Jeeper]

Polymerization, any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer. The monomer molecules may be all alike, or they may represent two, three, or more different compounds. Usually at least 100 monomer molecules must be combined to make a product that has certain unique physical properties

[SOLSAKS]

sounds interesting

worth a try.

even the most expensive coatings fail eventually

so nothing to lose

only coated headers I have are ceramic coated hedman headers

on a 1969 charger,......they have held up great.

keep us posted with results.

dave in NC

[SOLSAKS]

I have an idea regarding your "chef's life"

when the wagoner is done and on the road

have a party,....you and the wife cook a huge Louisiana feast

and invite all us FSJ nuts.


dave in NC

[SJTD]

I doubt it would be very effective. Works ok in the kitchen where the pan gets dried and put away.

But if you try it use bacon fat. Mmmmmm bacon.

[Crankyolman]

My headers were coated with high temp BBQ paint then heated red hot (By accident ) and it seemed to have converted the paint to more like some type of coating which so far appears to be resistant to rusting and deterioration.

[jeepman1]

If nothing else, you'll smell good when driving by.. kinda like all the homemade bio-diesels back in the 90's (before they clogged the injectors)

[ShagWagon]

Would used motor oil work?

[rang-a-stang]

Post pics! I would love it, if it worked!

[Cliff]

I always wondered how Penetrol would act when heated. It's great for coating steel and cast iron, and the natural look on an exhaust manifold is cool.