Smokin'Joe, How did you prep the headers before applying stove paint?

[G-Man]

Looking to spray the headers and maybe a few other assorted pieces and just asking for tips.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I cleaned them with a wire brush on my drill then took sand paper to them. I used the rattle can ceramic header paint from Advance Auto Parts. I had my tins at the painter and these cured 3 weeks before install. This is what happened about 10 seconds after starting the bike 


I then cleaned them again as above ( wire brush on drill , sandpaper ) and went and bought  Rustoleum Stove and BBQ paint in a qt. can. I applied this with a brush.It works great but I do have to touch it up from time to time.




I think I screwed up the ceramic rattle can deal by putting on to many coats...I thought if one coat is good then 10 will be better...I think I used about 4 cans.If you want " shiney " black the Rustoleum Stove and BBQ is not the way to go its more of a dull black when it drys. I've touched them up then got on the bike and took off .I try to keep my bikes lookin' good ( clean ) so I'll touch up the headers about every 3 rd detail.I use the kids paint set brushes @ Wally World for about $3.00 for 20 of them and the paint is around $10.00 a qt @ Wally World as well <---It will last forever I've done and touched mine up and the can is still near full.

[G-Man]

Cool.  Just clean them well and paint.  No priming.