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Painting headers. Suggestions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdvorchak
  • Start date Start date
J

jdvorchak

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My 81 GS850G exhaust is pretty nasty and rusted. I think I will pull the entire exhaust off and paint. Now in the past I've used BBQ grill high temp paint but I don't think it's all that durable. Seems to rub off but easy to touch up. Just wondering what others are using. I've used wrap before on a KZ but I really don't want that look on this bike.



Better pics later. This pic makes them look not too bad but I've tried to clean them up a little and not pleased with the results. Too much rust and little chrome left from the cylinder to the bend where they go under the foot pegs.
 
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I have seen some ceramic coating that looked pretty good, but I don't know if they can just do the header pipe. Since the outer pipes are basically one piece from the head to the outlet, it might be difficult. Would be nice if they could just coat the header pipes and leave the mufflers SHINY chrome.

I think it was cowboyup that did the entire system. Not too bad, but it's more of a satin finish on the mufflers.
 
Thanks for that. I noticed that VHT makes ceramic header paint good to 2000 deg F. But they even admit that it's not scratch resistant. Still has to look better than what I have. I was thinking that I would just mask off the mufflers and heat shields. They are ok shape now. Just the middle two headers that are beyond cleaning but I'd paint all 4.
 
I had an exhaust "ceramic coated". It looks good but the finish is delicate. Total cost was $227 to sandblast and coat.


 
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jdvorchak said:
Auto parts store or online? I'm not familiar with that brand. Does it hold up well to getting beat by road debris?
Click to expand...

I can't give a good opinion on that, since I don't really use it properly.

My PO glommed some black paint over the rusted, previously chromed headers, and I use this for touch ups. I spray it on cardboard and then brush it on.

I guess it would work as well as any brand. A Suzuki dealership ordered it for me (all they stocked was wrap). Here's a link for less than I paid:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5m4vzWmDuKg

Good luck. I think the results will depend on proper prep and application - something my PO neglected.
 
Plenty of header paint at the auto parts store. What are you fussing about for?
If you want something much better, that'll be $300 and up, you'll have to take them off to be treated.
 
Buffalo Bill said:
Plenty of header paint at the auto parts store. What are you fussing about for?
If you want something much better, that'll be $300 and up, you'll have to take them off to be treated.
Click to expand...


+1 on that, plenty of header paint and its easy to touch up.

I had a set done by Jet-hot, very tough coating.
http://www.jet-hot.com
 
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Not really fussing I was just wondering if any of the high temp paint was a little more durable. I'll take them off to prep and paint and if I need touch up I can always use a piece of cardboard behind where I'm painting. Thanks for the replies and especially the picture Nessism. I like that look of all flat black. I was thinking about just the headers.
 
jdvorchak said:
I like that look of all flat black. I was thinking about just the headers.
Click to expand...

I rather like flat black headers with chrome megaphone.

image.jpg

That's why I'm glad to replace the "Street Megaphone" with the "Supersport". Anyone want to buy this banged up old system?
 
Datsa Noydb said:
I think it was cowboyup that did the entire system. Not too bad, but it's more of a satin finish on the mufflers.
Click to expand...

OK, I just went through cowboyup's build thread and found a picture:


I also remembered that "Steve" had mentioned doing some ceramic coating, so I looked up some of his pictures.
Steve's 850:
IMG_0387_zpswb2dwgxe.jpg


His son's 650:
IMG_7473_zpscd9cf191.jpg


A close-up of the ceramic-coated header and the chrome muffler:
IMG_7474_zpsf9260e9c.jpg


If it's possible to coat just the header pipes, I might look into doing that on my bike.
 
I had a couple mufflers ceramic coated, that is actually aluminum powder in the ceramic, so it is a glossy aluminum grey.
I've been thinking the last 5 years about of getting my 1100G headers done the same way, just not excited about the cost.
 
A tip if you're taking the headers off to paint is to cure the paint before you put the pipes back on. Depending on the size of the system you might be able to put it on a BBQ (hooded) or I've also used a butane blowtorch to cure header paint. It makes it easier to handle if the paint is cured.
 
jdvorchak said:
Thanks for that. I noticed that VHT makes ceramic header paint good to 2000 deg F. But they even admit that it's not scratch resistant. Still has to look better than what I have. I was thinking that I would just mask off the mufflers and heat shields. They are ok shape now. Just the middle two headers that are beyond cleaning but I'd paint all 4.
Click to expand...

I used it on mine. It will hold up to the heat, but yeah, it does scratch easily.

This is what the paint looks like:

s-l1600.jpg
 
Nessism said:
Tough as in chip resistant? How long have you used the pipes and do you have any photos?
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Very very chip resistant!
I will see if I have some photos I can post, I don't have any in my current photo bucket, but I might on my work computer.
I ended up taking the megaphone and re-welding it to fit onto a different header and had to grind the jet hot coating off so it could be welded, the welder was amazed because he tig'd it and the coating right next to the weld didn't burn off?and it was only a 3/16" away.
I used the header for 15 yrs no chips, black, but it did fade just a bit. I would wipe it down with WD-40 when I washed the bike to take off road grime ect, no ill affects of that either. The one caveat is I don't put on a lot of miles so maybe 25,000 or so.
 
There are some high temp powder coating powders, I bought some to use on a pipe but I haven't actually used it yet.
I think it comes in several colors and levels of gloss.
 
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