i used silver high heat duplicolor paint, like the 1200 degree one not the engine block one. i prepped the headers by cleaning them then degreasing them and then i primed them with a few coats, a few coats of final color and finally clear coated them with a few coats. the only scratches or defects i got were from installation, just follow the directions. these pics are while i was installing the motor and well after break in, whole motor from upper intake to headers is duplicolor painted, outside under a carport in usually 80%+ humidity in south ga. but i agree with BK there if you can get them powdercoated or your budget allows powder coating i'd just go that route. with all the paint and prep work i did it might've costed the same thing, maybe