^^^^^^^^^^^
This is the stuff you'll want to use if you dont want ceramic. That POR-15 coating comes inabout three diffeent colors for exhaust manifolds and let me tell you this bubba, it really works.

I have had this on all of my model T intakes and exhausts, both of my mustangs, and on my tractors. This stuff is next best to ceramic coating.

Here's the thing however.....you MUST do a good job prepping the metal. Buy youself some black painted headers then bead blast them clean, be SURE to get in the little cracks around the collectors and the welds up top and get all of the paint off. Spray it with their product MetalReady or use what I use, a thinned coat of naval jelly (thin with a little water, same stuff) then rinse and wipe clean with primer to ensure no oils are left behind. Now apply your selection of POR-15 exhaust coating and your good to go.
http://www.por15.com/High-Temperatur...ts/products/8/

As a testimony to its durability, here is my smallest and most used tractor, my Farmall 100 with my litte brother up top.


I could show you the cars or other vehicles but they just dont see the use and abuse that this does. I applied the POR manifold coating about 4 years ago and since then it hasn't lost it's luster nor has it flaked, cracked, etc. I have run a little too hot with the engine at least 6 times during these past 4 years due to debris clogging up the radiator till I screened it and each time even the block was sizzling hot so you can imagine the manifold. Gone through heavy brush, etc, no scratches.

It really works bud and if you are looking for a shiney look then this is it but I cant stress enough the importance of the prep work.

 

These Patriot headers I have are black under the fiberglass.