bare metal exhaust pipes. Polish then clear coat or clear coat then polish?

[Holiday]

Considering that most metal polishes have a protective coating I am wondering if I should clear coat my exhaust pipes then polish or polish first. I'll be using high temp clear of course. I assume the clear needs to adhere to the metal. Will it adhere after polish?

 

[crazypj]

rust then rust is order of the day.
The first bend will run too hot for any over the counter spray, paint, coating
I've tried just about everything on the market over the years, including some industrial and military coatings
Although I haven't tried it yet, I've heard that ceramic is about the only thing that sticks (or chrome/nickle, etc)
Isn't cheap though

PJ

 

[Holiday]

Was planning on using the VHT Flameproof Clear:
http://www.caswellplating.com/vht/vhtclear.htm

I just read that it says to polish then clear coat.

*Edit. And it appears Canadian Tire doesn't sell the clear. Any good auto paint dealer in central T.O.?

 

[crazypj]

Even when properly cured it only lasts a few weeks in my experience.
Usually, first good blast will burn it off.
I posted temp by colour somewhere, 1,200~1,300f is quite normal for head pipe, around 450~700 at idle, 1,800+ if you run lean

 

[Holiday]

Ah so it appears I just gotta use regular polish and maintain the header or I gotta wrap it or use the high temp paint.