VHT Flameproof update:
The preliminary results are in. Here are a few bits and pieces, cleaned, bead blasted and coated (as per VHT's instructions):
View attachment 2953230
Here is the oven cured result:
View attachment 2953231
Both water necks look like crap on the underside (you see them as I baked them). At 400°, the clearcoat ran and varnished badly. It doesn't look as fried as the EGR pipe, but it's unacceptable.
As a test, and because I really don't care about it, I cooked the EGR pipe first.
First, a few process notes:
1) I used my kitchen oven and propane barbeque. The oven temp gauge is wrong (what a surprise!); 200° is actually about 180° and 400° is actually about 380°. My barbeque will reach, but not exceed 550°. Those are the curing temps I used, along with the required 30 on, 30 off, as per the instructions.
2) The first and second cures (albeit at lower temperatures than prescribed) looked very good, no discoloration, drips or runs.
3) The remaining parts, I cooked at a measured 200° and 400°, but not a final 600°-ish.
My analysis: the only way to keep the clearcoat from melting and varnishing is to keep the curing temp below 400°.
Lest anyone doubt my ability to follow instructions, I spent many years as a process engineer (not to mention a dozen in uniform), writing them and browbeating farmhands into following them. I assure you I can follow directions. There is no way to get this product to perform as claimed.
I am not going to cook the intakes; they look too good. I'll take my chances with the engine bay temps. I'll cure the exhaust headers on the truck. I'm really not looking forward to my crisp white paint job turning the color of a 3-pack-a-day smoker's fingers.
I'm looking forward to Cerakote.