Author Topic: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes  (Read 2669 times)

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Offline ncstatecamp

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exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« on: March 11, 2015, 10:06:07 PM »
So I need to do something about my exhaust, its damn rusty (surface nothing flaky or deep). I moved to Chicago just before winter and the salt reeked havoc on my finish (VHT paint flaked off while back). So the paint didnt work well for me, would exhaust wrap work better or be worse for rust? what are my other options?

Offline brewsky

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2015, 03:25:53 AM »
I have used this with success in the past (in silver).
Prep is probably key to results.....I used wire brush, sandpaper, and brake kleen first.
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Offline evanphi

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2015, 05:29:10 AM »
Similar... I used VHT Hi-Temp header paint (flat black). I used their primer first, but didn't wait long enough to add the black coat, so it chipped with the heat. I'm wire-brushing it back and doing the black coat again.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2015, 05:42:59 AM »
A ceramic coating would be your best bet. 
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Offline calj737

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2015, 05:47:37 AM »
A ceramic coating would be your best bet.
This is the best option. Costing the pipes inside and out protects them the most, and provides some performance gains. Look around at your local automotive powder coaters. Many also offer ceramic coating products. Pipes get sand blasted inside and out to create the proper surface adhesion, then the ceramic is applied in a dry powder form, then baked to cure. Surface grime wipes right off, even salt.


The downside to the exhaust wrap is that it actually traps moisture and heat between the wrap and pipe, accelerating corrosion.
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Offline Chachi

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2015, 07:17:12 AM »
I'm planning on ceramic coating my headers soon. I didn't have the best luck with high temp can paint. It was probably in the prep (removing all old chrome). To best prep for paint you would ideally need to have it blasted... and if you're doing that, you might as well ceramic coat as you're halfway there. But it's not cheap. I'm not sure how my local rates compare, but my quote is in the $250 range for 4-1 header. If you have the money, ceramic. If not, prep by hand as best you can and paint it for a season/year until you can ceramic. And I've seen some high temp can paint jobs last fairly well, but mine didn't. I'm going for black, but here there are some 'silver' ceramic options out there too if you want it to resemble chrome.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2015, 07:52:14 AM »
I was quoted just under $200 for ceramic on a 4:1 header.
8 different colors at the place in my area.
http://www.performancecoatings.com/index2.html
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Offline Powderman

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2015, 08:39:28 AM »
A ceramic coating would be your best bet.
This is the best option. Costing the pipes inside and out protects them the most, and provides some performance gains. Look around at your local automotive powder coaters. Many also offer ceramic coating products. Pipes get sand blasted inside and out to create the proper surface adhesion, then the ceramic is applied in a dry powder form, then baked to cure. Surface grime wipes right off, even salt.


The downside to the exhaust wrap is that it actually traps moisture and heat between the wrap and pipe, accelerating corrosion.

Ceramic is not applied in a dry powder form it is a wet application just like paint. Most of the new ceramics are air dried and don't require curing in the oven. The only upsides to exhaust wrap on a bike is some heat shield protection on your leg (it still  gets plenty hot), and cosmetic (eye of the beholder). There's no performance gain from it and as mentioned it accelerates the rust issue.

Offline calj737

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2015, 09:27:16 AM »
While it seems I was mistaken about the "dry powder" aspect, the products my service guy uses do indeed require baking-

http://www.techlinecoatings.com/hi-performance/bs-exhaust-system-coatings.html
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Offline ncstatecamp

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2015, 11:06:10 AM »
When I did the vht paint I sand blasted the pipes, cleaned em, then painted them but it still chipped off. So basically my options are looking like getting them blasted again and either cermic or powder coated...

Offline BobbyR

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #10 on: March 12, 2015, 11:16:44 AM »
It depends on your budget and how long you expect the exhaust to last. Wrapping can look a bit ghetto.

Powder and Jet hot are an option. You can also just repaint and when they get flaky, just respray.
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Offline ncstatecamp

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2015, 12:08:36 PM »
Is there any kind of seat I can do to the wrap? I think ive read somewhere of people coating the wrap in VHT or silicone or something...

Offline flybox1

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2015, 12:21:37 PM »
My Kerker header had road rash on one pipe, but was still in good condition.
I had it blasted, coated in VHT, and then wrapped it w/ DEI black header wrap.
I coated the wrap, as suggested, with DEI silicon header paint.   2 years and it still looks great.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline ncstatecamp

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2015, 12:38:21 PM »
My Kerker header had road rash on one pipe, but was still in good condition.
I had it blasted, coated in VHT, and then wrapped it w/ DEI black header wrap.
I coated the wrap, as suggested, with DEI silicon header paint.   2 years and it still looks great.
Any pictures? And any idea how its looking underneath?

Offline calj737

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2015, 12:54:16 PM »
Underneath and inside are the questions...
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline flybox1

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #15 on: March 12, 2015, 01:00:49 PM »
Ride long enough and there will be less chance of rust as the heat dissipates the moisture.
Whenever I take the header off for a filter change, I can touch up...
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

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Offline EricHa

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #16 on: March 12, 2015, 01:45:01 PM »
I had VHT high temp paint that was pretty tough, but made sure to have the surface super clean and slowly warmed the pipe. I wound up wanting ceramic so I sent her to Jet-Hot last month. It has a beautiful finish.

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Offline flybox1

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2015, 01:50:00 PM »
Looks great!  8)
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline Stev-o

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #18 on: March 12, 2015, 04:27:53 PM »
Looks great!  8)

+1. Mind if we ask what they charged you, Eric?
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Offline EricHa

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #19 on: March 13, 2015, 08:29:37 AM »
Looks great!  8)

+1. Mind if we ask what they charged you, Eric?

It was $215 plus the return shipping. The total with shipping both ways is pricey but not nearly as expensive as chrome and it does look nice.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #20 on: March 13, 2015, 09:34:07 AM »
Looks great!  8)

+1. Mind if we ask what they charged you, Eric?

It was $215 plus the return shipping. The total with shipping both ways is pricey but not nearly as expensive as chrome and it does look nice.
That is a very nice looking finish. Deeper than chrome, more like the polished Aluminum. You did a great job on the motor, looks great.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #21 on: March 13, 2015, 07:41:45 PM »
Looks great!  8)

+1. Mind if we ask what they charged you, Eric?

It was $215 plus the return shipping. The total with shipping both ways is pricey but not nearly as expensive as chrome and it does look nice.


Sounds like a fair price.
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Offline Airborne 82nd

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #22 on: March 13, 2015, 08:01:53 PM »
Best of the best. Bar none.

http://www.jet-hot.com/coatings/

Offline Powderman

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #23 on: March 14, 2015, 09:04:08 AM »
We get between $17.50 and $22.50/lf for doing Ceramic. That will get you a ballpark on what yours should cost.

Offline ncstatecamp

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Re: exhaust wrap or something else? Best finish for pipes
« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2015, 09:08:12 AM »
We get between $17.50 and $22.50/lf for doing Ceramic. That will get you a ballpark on what yours should cost.
So a 4 to one would be 9ish ft so ball park $180?