I used whatever was on the shelf at Autozone; sprayed on a decent coat after I warmed it really well from the inside with a butane torch.  Then after the paint was applied I hung it up and used the torch again on the inside of the header to speed the drying/curing. Reheated a few times until it was well done.  I did maybe  3-4 coats.  It  was OK; did not cost much at all; installed the next day and resumed riding.

Well I'm pissed...  The fading of the color only went a few inches from the base of the engine,  and I was not happy,  but it appeared to have fully cured well.   It was dark and so I'm not for sure on this,  but after my final curing and letting it cool I went for a ride around the block,  and I didn't really crank it to much but when I got back I took a high powered flashlight to it (up until then I had my patio light and a low powered head lamp.   Well upon inspection of how faded the pipe got up top I came across a large amount of chipping and cracks.   I can't be for sure of taking it for the ride then instead of waiting until today for a ride is the cause,  or if it was just like that and I just didn't inspect it closely enough....   Regardless,  that's the final straw,  I'm stripping it all and getting the refund and having it done professionally.   I know I could use BBQ paint as people have pointed out,  but they also say that only has a life span of a few years maybe.   So given the fact that after a refund I'll be spending like $30 for a professionally done ceramic coating,  I'm gonna go that route.   Disappointing,  but I'm not wasting any more time on the header.   I want to start my fiberglassing projects,  starting with a custom under engine air scoop,  then seat,  then tank.

Could it be that the clearcoat over the black was the problem?  Anyway, you're right- it looks like you're not alone...

http://forum.caswellplating.com/liquid-painting-questions/13014-vht-header-pa...

And more fading has come since riding today.....   Here is the main issue.

That's normal. Even commercially painted headers for muscle cars and hot rods burn the paint off pretty quickly. Only sure bet is a true ceramic coating. And even they get funky with age...