Header pitting

[Guest]

I'm plugging away at my bike trying to get it ready for riding weather which may or may not have already arrived and have decided to draw upon the awe inspiring collective wisdom of the GSR.
My headers are pitted and slightly rusty (See pics) Do they need to be replaced? Would a stripping and powder-coating save them? Should I ride them until they start to spew exhaust from many tiny holes?


Thanks in advance.

PS This might not be the place for it but I freaking love this website. The helpful expert advice being flung in all directions is amazing. I'm near the end of a tear down, clean, and rebuild of my carbs that would have terrified me without some of the wonderful resources available through this community.
Thank you all so much.

[posplayr]

They might no be worth it

If those were the last set of headers on earth, you could try and sand blast them to remove the rust and then get them coated. Mine did not look that bad and after sand blasting I ended up with a few pin sized through holes.

I used a ceramic putty to plug the small holes it and then repaint. If you were really good with a welder you might try that but more than likely you would just make a mess that kept burning through.

Another way, would be to wire wheel them for a while or till you get tired, then use a little navel jelly to eat the rust, sand and paint. Do it again next year.

Good Luck.

Pos

[paco13]

What he said.

[Marine36]

Not sure what its called but you can buy paint that turns rust to primer. Smooth by sanding/ceramic putty and a coat of POR (not sure what number POR for heat). Hopefully someone else will shed some light on the POR or rust converting primer.

[posplayr]

Been there done that

Rust converter is not recommended for headers (by Por-15). Even the navel jelly is not recommended as it leaves a acid etch coating that is not that tolerant of heat. The wire brushing following the rust removal will get rid of some if not most of the coating.

The high heat needs to have a high heat ceramic paint/primer.

Pos

[Nessism]

I'd use a low impact type of media blasting. Not sure what method would be best - walnut shell, glass bead, soda? After that, if the metal comes though okay, you could get them coated with one of the hot jet type coatings, or just black paint. The trick is to not let the rust get a foot hold.

Good luck,

[posplayr]

Ed

you could get them coated with one of the hot jet type coatings, or just black paint.

Ed,
What fills best adn can be used with a spray can?

What filles best that is contracted out?

Pos

[Nessism]

Ed,
What fills best adn can be used with a spray can?

What filles best that is contracted out?

Pos

Jim,
Not sure on the best rattle can paint. For a professional finish, I'd check out Cermachrome.

[rputney01]

[quote=wincefish;978621]My headers are pitted and slightly rusty (See pics) Do they need to be replaced? Would a stripping and powder-coating save them? Should I ride them until they start to spew exhaust from many tiny holes?

I had an old Kerker that looked about the same as yours. I had it media-blasted and ceramic coated for $80 about a year and a half ago. There is still some pitting under the ceramic that you can see from close up, but the ceramic did fill in some of the gaps. From 6 feet away, it looks pretty good and the ceramic seems to wear well. I haven't had any chipping and the rust hasn't reappeared. Cheaper than a new pipe!

Good luck.