Did the 55 Bird come off the assembly line with painted exhaust manifolds or were they not painted in any way?  Also if I want to paint them as per factory, what color were they.  Any suggestions on how to paint them, what kind of primer and or finish paint, etc....  Any info will be appreciated.  Thanks.

Exhaust manifolds came unfinished in cast color. No paint was used.
To achieve this "as cast" look the best way is to have the manifolds ceramic coated.

I have had great success using a company called Jet Hot coatings. Lifetime warranty!

https://get.jet-hot.com/?source=google&medium=cpc&campaign={campaign}&keyword=jet%20hot%20coating&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JXtBRC8ARIsAEBHg4nySfntXsF53QLTO0mBdlKVuedl79hWeVV3xkymc68uj0QMzmm27-8aAtvbEALw_wcB

On the cheap you could clean them well and use a paste coating called Calyx .Unfortunatly the SCRUB guys have it at the best price (link below)


https://www.zip-corvette.com/calyx-exhaust-manifold-dressing.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JXtBRC8ARIsAEBHg4nW-GsZtrfu5kLfImK1YNJWkQEiCGRZcRKtN5ZU0EaLM3xkFkwEFbsaAhO8EALw_wcB
The pics are of the manifolds on my Mercury and Edsel that have been Jet Hot coated.My T Bird has coated headers.

Try Hi Temp Cast Blast.  It has held up very good on my Bird.  As far as Calyx goes, it does not dry out and everytime you touch it it stains your hands and clothes.  It does look nice though


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I use Eastwood's Factory Gray High Temp Coating.  Work's great, looks good and lasts.

DAMN that is some nice detail work ...



Gotta get you away from those worm clamps though ...

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