rust converter under heat paint?

[shiftpro]

More specific, high temp header paint...

I have a set of dandy Hooker headers that are rusty and I'm not in position to sandblast so I've been manually having a party with the side grinder and brush. Of course I'll never get the rust in between the pipes. Well I'll run a strip of emery between the pipes anyway to knock off the worst.

Is there any reason why rust convertor can;t be used? As far as I understand, it leaves the rust as oxide and that shouldn't have any effect one way or the other under the heat paint.
What's the gang's comments on this?

 

[Frankenchevy]

Maybe phosphoric acid overnight followed by a soapy water scrub with a 3m pad. It neutralizes the rust, but the residue can be scrubbed off.

 

[shiftpro]

Maybe phosphoric acid overnight followed by a soapy water scrub with a 3m pad. It neutralizes the rust, but the residue can be scrubbed off.

That's probably a good idea anyway, and I have some too.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Do eeet!

 

[bucket]

I was once told by a circle track racer that there's a trick to keeping headers from rusting out. Every year or so, remove the headers and get them good and hot with a rosebud torch, then douse them in ATF while they are still cooking hot.

I've never tried it yet. One day I will, lol.

 

[gotyourgoat]

I was once told by a circle track racer that there's a trick to keeping headers from rusting out. Every year or so, remove the headers and get them good and hot with a rosebud torch, then douse them in ATF while they are still cooking hot.

I've never tried it yet. One day I will, lol.

I'll bet it is another way to preserve them. Kind of like seasoning a cast iron pan. It's best to have long even heat for an even seasoning though.

 

[shiftpro]

I was once told by a circle track racer that there's a trick to keeping headers from rusting out. Every year or so, remove the headers and get them good and hot with a rosebud torch, then douse them in ATF while they are still cooking hot.

I've never tried it yet. One day I will, lol.

Sounds messy... and fun.