Has anyone "Ceramic" coated their GS engine?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if any of you have "ceramic" coated your GS engines? Did it come out ok? I've heard this is a GREAT thing to do...as it would make the engine look new for many years.

Rudi
1980 GS1100E

 

[Anonymous]

If you are talking about a ceramic coating such as on headers, you might want to rethink it. That coating is designed to NOT transfer heat. If you are talking about powder coating, I'm not sure what the thermal transfer is.

 

[Anonymous]

If you are talking about a ceramic coating such as on headers, you might want to rethink it. That coating is designed to NOT transfer heat. If you are talking about powder coating, I'm not sure what the thermal transfer is.

What do you mean, "transfer heat"? I was under the impression that ceramic coating an engine is a good thing...due to it helping the dissipation of heating. Resulting in a cooler running engine. Not to mention the cosmetic advantages of ceramic coating....

Am I wrong?

Rudi
1980 GS1100E

 

[bybowtie]

I thought the same thing rudi.. Have had several sets of b.b headers that have been ceramic coated so I am not sure. Wjh it does is didssipate it evenly so it stays cooler allowing for faster smoother exhaust flow and more power..(similar to the cooling chambers BORLA uses in their exhaust systems)

 

[Anonymous]

I thought the same thing rudi.. Have had several sets of b.b headers that have been ceramic coated so I am not sure. Wjh it does is didssipate it evenly so it stays cooler allowing for faster smoother exhaust flow and more power..(similar to the cooling chambers BORLA uses in their exhaust systems)

So it does make the engine run cooler? If this is the case, isn't ceramic coating the undisputed choice?

Rudi
1980 GS1100E

 

[Anonymous]

I thought the same thing rudi.. Have had several sets of b.b headers that have been ceramic coated so I am not sure. Wjh it does is didssipate it evenly so it stays cooler allowing for faster smoother exhaust flow and more power..(similar to the cooling chambers BORLA uses in their exhaust systems)

So it does make the engine run cooler? If this is the case, isn't ceramic coating the undisputed choice?

Not quite. It keeps the outside of the exhaust pipe cooler by trapping the heat inside the pipe (therefore the heat isn't transfered to the motor, which is why many aftermarket car headers are ceramic coated). If you ceramic coat your motor you will be trapping the heat inside the motor which we all know is a bad thing.

 

[Anonymous]

Not quite. It keeps the outside of the exhaust pipe cooler by trapping the heat inside the pipe (therefore the heat isn't transfered to the motor, which is why many aftermarket car headers are ceramic coated). If you ceramic coat your motor you will be trapping the heat inside the motor which we all know is a bad thing.

Ok...so you're saying it's ok for exhaust pipes..but NOT for engines? I'm trying to get this straight before I fork out $$ to have it done at AirBorn Coatings Co.

Rudi

 

[Anonymous]

What about doing your engine with a high temp aluminum paint? Just the block, head and cylinders. And polishing the covers.
That's what I plan on doing.
There many rattle can types available and I've seen several that can be shot through a paint gun.

 

[Anonymous]

In the information from Jet-Hot, it explains that the heat is kept in the exhaust which is why the headers run cooler.

 

[satchmo]

I kind of think of the space shuttle. The ceramic tiles are a good insulator when re-entering the atmosphere. They keep the frictional heat out, of the shuttle.

Being an insulator, and not a conductor, this would keep heat IN your engine. Not always the best choice.

Satch

 

[brs127s]

The idea behind ceramic coated headers is to keep the heat in the exhaust gases, because it causes it to flow freely. If it cools down before exiting the exhaust system, it creates a bottleneck. I had done much research on this when I wanted to put headers on my truck, because I was curious about the advantages of the ceramic coated products over those that are not coated.

Based on that assumption, you would not want to ceramic coat an engine, because it would not allow the heat to dissapate.

 

[Anonymous]

The idea behind ceramic coated headers is to keep the heat in the exhaust gases, because it causes it to flow freely. If it cools down before exiting the exhaust system, it creates a bottleneck. I had done much research on this when I wanted to put headers on my truck, because I was curious about the advantages of the ceramic coated products over those that are not coated.

Based on that assumption, you would not want to ceramic coat an engine, because it would not allow the heat to dissapate.

Very convincing, brs127s. I think you may have gotten me off the ceramic coating idea. What do you think of powder-coating an engine..then applying a clear coat as a final step?

Rudi

 

[brs127s]

I believe poweder coating followed by a clear coat is how today's engines are painted. I don't see any harm in it, but others may have a different opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned about some of the powder getting inside the engine case during the process. I know it would be masked off but your talking about powder here and it can creep in some awfully small openings.
I had my frame done and it looks great but I did have to cleanup a couple of mounting points/bolt holes and that stuff is quite hard. Would be pretty bad if some worked it's way into internal passage (oil galleries, ect..) and then got baked in there. Or maybe just a light coating on some of the crank journals and caused it to be mounted in an unaligned position.
Just my .02 worth.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned about some of the powder getting inside the engine case during the process. I know it would be masked off but your talking about powder here and it can creep in some awfully small openings.
I had my frame done and it looks great but I did have to cleanup a couple of mounting points/bolt holes and that stuff is quite hard. Would be pretty bad if some worked it's way into internal passage (oil galleries, ect..) and then got baked in there. Or maybe just a light coating on some of the crank journals and caused it to be mounted in an unaligned position.
Just my .02 worth.

Yeah, it's a valid concern. However, Airborn coatings is a very reputable place...they do this kind of work for NASCAR cars...I would think they could handle my little GS1100 Engine with no problem.

 

[terry]

You could powder coat your crank-cases (like Harley do) and possibly your cylinders, but not your head, as the heat generated is hotter than that used to melt the plastic powder during the coating process, so when your engine attains normal operating temp, your powder coating will either start to burn, or will become very unattractive "fly paper".

If you decide to paint your engine, I'd recommend "etch priming" before putting the paint on, or else it'll all come off again. It's not difficult to do, and it makes the paint stick.

I told this to one guy awhile ago and his reply was "well it took 20 years to fall off last time" but he didn't understand that because Suzuki didn't etch prime anything (probably would have added a whole 5 bucks to the price of the new bike) it actually started to fall off right away, and more and more came off every time he washed it, so it really started looking bad after only a few months. :twisted:

 

[bybowtie]

its kinda like a convection process as the out sides stay cool and the insides are warm the cooler air forces the inside exhaust air out of the exhaust...Itwas explained to me as being some sort of thermo-dynamics...Now I dont think Id go so fars as to do my engine block but for exhaust its a great Idea

 

[Anonymous]

Ok...if ceramic coating one's whole engine isn't a good idea...what is? I want to make my engine look new...so I know that glass-beading it is the best option. But what about afterward? It has to be coated with something. The factory "clear" coat obviously did NOT stand the test of time.

So how does one keep the engine looking new for many years to come (with obviously doing the occasional power-wash)? I've heard that powdercoating is a great option. Especially if the paint used is made for handling high temps.

Rudi
1980 gs1100e

 

[Anonymous]

Rudi - Is the motor in question in pieces or still together when you plan on doing the cleaning and/or painting? Exactly what state will it be in?

If you plan on doing this kind of cleanup and detailing I would reccoment that you go all the way to splitting the cases and installing new seals, gaskets, and O-rings. That way the motor will look good for a long time - no oil leaks. Then again, I hate to do any job 1/2 way.

 

[Anonymous]

Rudi - Is the motor in question in pieces or still together when you plan on doing the cleaning and/or painting? Exactly what state will it be in?

If you plan on doing this kind of cleanup and detailing I would reccoment that you go all the way to splitting the cases and installing new seals, gaskets, and O-rings. That way the motor will look good for a long time - no oil leaks. Then again, I hate to do any job 1/2 way.

Swanny,

The engine has not been taken apart, yet. But I do plan on having everything you mentioned replaced. Not only do I want my engine to look new, I want it to run like new too!

Rudi
1980 GS1100e