[DeTomaso] Alternate header coating?

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Hi guys,

Text below is copied and pasted from a posting on the Nor-cal Shelby Club 
e-mail forum.   Interesting information, but I know nothing further--just the 
messenger.

Mike

=====

I think, as regards thermal coatings, you get what you pay for. And that 
may be in time as well as money. If you search Google under 'Swain Header 
Coatings' you will have a ton of hits come up.

 I say Swain because back like over 15 years ago that is where I sent our 
new headers for #99 after researching it. Wanted the very best heat 
retention. I just looked on Google and here is one comment from a user that rings 
very true to me.

  
 << After researching header coatings for several hours, I came to the 
conclusion that Swain may be a fair bit better than Jet-Hot as far as heat 
retention. I spoke with Dan Swain this morning and my suspicions were confirmed. 
I don’t think it is even fair to compare the two products anymore because 
Jet-Hot is catering to a different market than Swain coatings.
Swain’s philosophy is to retain heat in the header and keep the engine bay 
as cool as possible and damn the looks. Jet-hot is more appearance oriented 
and their coatings heat retention properties suffer for it. I liken it to 
comparing a great looking pair of thermal underwear to an ugly old fire suit. 
If my car catches fire, my main concern is not looking good in my fancy 
underwear. Nothing against Jet-Hot mind you, they have a fine looking product 
and Swain often refers business to them for their great looks. Conversely Jet 
hot refers business to Swain for their far superior heat retention 
properties. Bottom line, Great looks = Jet-Hot, Great heat retention= Swain White 
Lightning coating.
I had an interesting conversation with Dan Swain and it seems they have 
quite a following among people who are familiar with their products but have no 
intentions of becoming a national conglomerate. They advertise the 
old-fashioned way, word of mouth. They like their relatively small business and 
because of that and their popularity, wait times for getting things coated can 
be substantial. Their turn around time is about three weeks right now and 
that is probably pretty standard I am guessing. I however believe it to be 
worth the wait and will be sending my headers to them for what I think is the 
end all, be all, keep cool, White Lightning coating. It’s funny, I am really 
excited about this coating whereas with Jet-Hot it was “oh well if this is 
the best there is, I guess I’ll do it”. On a side note, if you don’t like the 
color they come back as, you can use a caned high heat spray coating on 
them and it WILL stick and WILL NOT burn off. I just can’t believe no one had 
heard of these guys but you have now. By the way they quoted me 275-300 for 
the pair. >>

  
 I also remember talking to Dan Swain on the phone back then because I was 
hesitating sending the headers all the way to the east coast. If you will 
remember, those headers kept the engine bay temps WAY DOWN and we could pull 
plugs or re tighten all the header bolts right after a track session. And we 
could touch the headers without getting our skin fried. (No pun 
intended...Mr. Fry) I know that Swain has a huge following in the Race Community such as 
NASCAR because of a superior product.
Here's their web site: http://www.swaintech.com/

 If you are just looking for an application that is for looks then it 
doesn't make a difference. But for performance I think you want the Swain 3 step 
process.

 Google is your friend. 8^)

  
 Jan