Topic: Mufflers too hot for powder coating?

[Blackhole]

Do the mufflers on these bikes get too hot to powder?  I was looking to make a muffler and just wanted to see if.powder coating was an option or if they get too hot.  The bike is a 78 750F if that maters. Thanks

[Stev-o]

Would be better to use ceramic. 

[Don R]

Try nitroplate, they do some trick things. I've seen ghost flames in their coatings on race cars. I think there is a high temp powder too.

http://nitroplate.com/how-to-order/

[bjbuchanan]

What kind of exhaust, hacked up header so it is close to the downtubes? Stock muffler location should be fine to not discolor and turn to crap.

PM powderman if you want more details. My non-pro opinion says it is fine due to the distance from the chamber

[fendersrule]

Try nitroplate, they do some trick things. I've seen ghost flames in their coatings on race cars. I think there is a high temp powder too.

http://nitroplate.com/how-to-order/

These guys said I can't do their ceramic satin black If my pipes are steel (can stick a magnet on them)....

[tomk1960]

I've done multiple header pipes in high temp satin black with excellent results.  That powder is good to 1000 degrees but preparation is key to the success.  I had to carefully clean them, then blast with virgin media to prevent forcing any grease or oil into the metal's pores.  From that point on, the rest of the job was easy.

Standard powder is an option with mufflers as long as they don't exceed the powder cure temperature of approx. 375 degrees F.  The hottest spot on the muffler will be where it bolts onto the header pipe and from there it gets cooler.  (check with an IR gun when the bike is good and hot) I used the high temp powder on the collector unit of my VF1000F and black chrome on the cans here:



With approx. 100 miles on them so far, they still look as good as the day I bolted them on.  Only time will tell for sure, but I intend to get them good and hot so that I can life-test the integrity of the finish.  Be forewarned that many shops might be willing to PC your mufflers, but they might not be willing to guarantee longevity of the finish.

[Retro Rocket]

http://nitroplate.com/how-to-order/
These guys said I can't do their ceramic satin black If my pipes are steel (can stick a magnet on them)....

Really, from their site...

Perfect for headers and motorcycle exhaust pipes and heat shields

http://nitroplate.com/coatings/nitroplate-satin-black/

Satin ceramic can be used on mild steel with no problems at all....

[Blackhole]

Thanks for the replies. I would be doing the powder coating myself and the muffler would be on a stock header. I will post some pictures when I get it done. I think I will give it a try and see what happens.

[grcamna2]

What kind of exhaust, hacked up header so it is close to the downtubes? Stock muffler location should be fine to not discolor and turn to crap.

PM powderman if you want more details. My non-pro opinion says it is fine due to the distance from the chamber

I used Duplicolor silver engine heat paint on my CB350 twin mufflers and even primered the areas I did on them first on my old stock mufflers;I prepped the areas well on that chrome.That paint is even harder baked-on now w/ no hint of peeling.

[Powderman]

Ceramic will work on any steel part. It is more expensive than powder coating and, in most cases, powder can be run on a muffler. Canister mufflers have a chamber of fiberglass insulation and don't get near hot enough to effect the cured powder which can stand spikes of up to 100* over cure temp which is 400* for most powders. So the mufflers can be coated as long as they don't see sustained temps of over 500* and most mufflers don't see those temps which out serious tune issues. Sometimes you may see damaging heat build up at the choked down pipe at the entrance to the muffler that burn the powder in that area. It's hard to get a temp reading on the area because it needs to be done in real world environment, which means taking a temp reading at speed in the wind. Also you can't use an IR heat gun to gauge temp on a chrome reflective pipe, it gives in accurate false readings.

[grcamna2]

I've done multiple header pipes in high temp satin black with excellent results.  That powder is good to 1000 degrees but preparation is key to the success.  I had to carefully clean them, then blast with virgin media to prevent forcing any grease or oil into the metal's pores.  From that point on, the rest of the job was easy.

Standard powder is an option with mufflers as long as they don't exceed the powder cure temperature of approx. 375 degrees F.  The hottest spot on the muffler will be where it bolts onto the header pipe and from there it gets cooler.  (check with an IR gun when the bike is good and hot) I used the high temp powder on the collector unit of my VF1000F and black chrome on the cans here:



With approx. 100 miles on them so far, they still look as good as the day I bolted them on.  Only time will tell for sure, but I intend to get them good and hot so that I can life-test the integrity of the finish.  Be forewarned that many shops might be willing to PC your mufflers, but they might not be willing to guarantee longevity of the finish.

Nice bike Tom 

[fendersrule]

http://nitroplate.com/how-to-order/
These guys said I can't do their ceramic satin black If my pipes are steel (can stick a magnet on them)....

Really, from their site...

Perfect for headers and motorcycle exhaust pipes and heat shields

http://nitroplate.com/coatings/nitroplate-satin-black/

Then for some reason I'm certainly getting the run around. They are very RELUCTANT to put satin black ceramic on mild steal. In fact, he said he won't warrantee it.

He keeps saying it will rust out.

[Retro Rocket]

http://nitroplate.com/how-to-order/
These guys said I can't do their ceramic satin black If my pipes are steel (can stick a magnet on them)....

Really, from their site...

Perfect for headers and motorcycle exhaust pipes and heat shields

http://nitroplate.com/coatings/nitroplate-satin-black/

Then for some reason I'm certainly getting the run around. They are very RELUCTANT to put satin black ceramic on mild steal. In fact, he said he won't warrantee it.

He keeps saying it will rust out.

I think they are pissing in your pocket Fenders, Ceramic coating is used as a barrier to stop corrosion and rust, if the steel is cleaned well and coated properly then how is it going to rust, and why would they advertise it..?....

[fendersrule]

Which is why I'm confused....

So I guess I'm still looking for somewhere to kick some arse on my SL350 pipes. Guess it won't be them. That's too bad because I've heard good things about them.

[grcamna2]

Fenders,
I'm curious if the coating business you spoke to doesn't want the liability in case some type of exhaust 'oil' or other fluid were to bleed out of the mufflers during the application/baking process and spoil the way the coating bonds? or something like that ? maybe they just wont do mufflers or something...

[Lostboy Steve]

I powder-coated the exhaust tip on my truck, other then discoloration from the heat (it was white, now its off-white) it is holding up really well.

[Blackhole]

I made the muffler and it is now powder coated.  I haven't  had the bike running longer then a couple of minutes at a time so I still don't know how it will hold up...but I like the way it looks.  The only problem I had was I forgot to weld a tab on the muffler to mount it behind the foot peg and didn't realize it until I had already coated it   It sucked having to grind a spot so I could weld the tab.  Here are a couple of pictures...It sounds great!

[Lostboy Steve]

It's black, so discoloration probably isn't an issue. I wonder if maybe the power will become brittle from the heat cycles. Who knows. Looks good tho.

[flybox1]

These guys are over here between Seattle and Tacoma.
Highly recommended.  Good info on their site, too...

http://www.performancecoatings.com/index2.html