Topic: Who makes good high heat silver for pipes ?

[grcamna2]

I want to paint my header with shiny high heat silver, I had it glass bead blasted.Who makes good high heat silver that won't burn-off right away ?

[Pielz]

I've used both Rust-Oleum 2000 degree and VHT flame proof with awesome results.

[grcamna2]

What was the process for curing the VHT ?

[Pielz]

If it'll fit in your oven it's like 250, 400, then 550 for a half hour each? Something along those lines? My oven didn't go that high so I just left it at 400 a little longer

[seanbarney41]

I have seen silver vht last muchhhh longer than black, although I don't think anything is gonna stay shiny very long except ceramic (ceramic=professionally applied, not the vht spraycan that says "ceramic")...other than that?...here is what I have found...1.  If you ride in the rain, it ruins the paint. It will be immediately dulled and completely fail, burning off soon thereafter.  (soon=1000 miles?)  2.  It is only gonna last so long anyway.  My spray bombed pipes need re-done, on average, every other riding season.  Granted, I put a lot of miles on my bikes.  3.  Powder coaters often offer a "ceramic" powder coat.  This is not much better than a spray can.  The good stuff is chemically bonded to the surface via spraygun in a controlled environment to an extremely clean surface (can't vouch for it because it is too much of a hassle and too expensive for me)

[grcamna2]

I have seen silver vht last muchhhh longer than black, although I don't think anything is gonna stay shiny very long except ceramic (ceramic=professionally applied, not the vht spraycan that says "ceramic")...other than that?...here is what I have found...1.  If you ride in the rain, it ruins the paint. It will be immediately dulled and completely fail, burning off soon thereafter.  (soon=1000 miles?)  2.  It is only gonna last so long anyway.  My spray bombed pipes need re-done, on average, every other riding season.  Granted, I put a lot of miles on my bikes.  3.  Powder coaters often offer a "ceramic" powder coat.  This is not much better than a spray can.  The good stuff is chemically bonded to the surface via spraygun in a controlled environment to an extremely clean surface (can't vouch for it because it is too much of a hassle and too expensive for me)

Sean,
I understand a little of what you said(the PC shops offered it to me already) about "ceramic" powder coat' .Do you know what the "good stuff" is really called or what type of shop could take my pipes/header and do the best treatment ? I've spoken only to PC shops so far.

[seanbarney41]

I have seen silver vht last muchhhh longer than black, although I don't think anything is gonna stay shiny very long except ceramic (ceramic=professionally applied, not the vht spraycan that says "ceramic")...other than that?...here is what I have found...1.  If you ride in the rain, it ruins the paint. It will be immediately dulled and completely fail, burning off soon thereafter.  (soon=1000 miles?)  2.  It is only gonna last so long anyway.  My spray bombed pipes need re-done, on average, every other riding season.  Granted, I put a lot of miles on my bikes.  3.  Powder coaters often offer a "ceramic" powder coat.  This is not much better than a spray can.  The good stuff is chemically bonded to the surface via spraygun in a controlled environment to an extremely clean surface (can't vouch for it because it is too much of a hassle and too expensive for me)

Sean,
I understand a little of what you said(the PC shops offered it to me already) about "ceramic" powder coat' .Do you know what the "good stuff" is really called or what type of shop could take my pipes/header and do the best treatment ? I've spoken only to PC shops so far.

I don't know of any other than Jet Hot.  You would have to send it out probably.  Look for shops that do Cerakote.  (used to be called Gunkote)  This is why I just spray bomb my own bare steel pipes every couple years and try not to use bare steel exhausts...so many affordable stainless options these days, and lots of good old chrome too.

[grcamna2]

OK,
That gives me a better understanding.

[low-side]

I agree 100% with Sean.  Spray paint is seasonal or bi-seasonal maintenance.  Powder coat isn't much better.  Cerakote is amazing stuff, but you could probably buy a new Delkevic for the cost of getting an entire system done in Cerakote.

[markreimer]

I’ve used VHT paint on my GL1000 headers. Wire brushed them first till it was nice clean bare steel. Then multiple washings with brake cleaner and then acetone. Several coats of paint per directions, then oven cured. My oven tops out at 550 so I left it in there a little longer. I have 1,000km on the pipes including some rain, and the paint looks awesome.


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[Bodi]

For stock double tube headers, spray paint can be pretty good and last a couple of seasons depending on your mileage. Aftermarket single wall tube headers... in my experience no high temp paint will survive the extreme heat. Personally I gave up on painting my Kerker headers, they are bare metal. I keep the bike indoors - they do rust red after long disuse but but turn to a very dark brown once heated up and don't look too disgusting. Probably no good for outside storage where they would get wet regularly

[seanbarney41]

Old time 2 stroke guys got a secret bare steel pipe preservation method that few others know about...

[grcamna2]

Old time 2 stroke guys got a secret bare steel pipe preservation method that few others know about...

All that 2 stroke oil keeps them nice,on the Inside..  what about the outside ?

[seanbarney41]

 I will give ya a hint...pick up a bottle at your grocery store, in the home maintenance department.  You will have to re apply frequently, but it is very easy and one bottle will last for years

[grcamna2]

I will give ya a hint...pick up a bottle at your grocery store, in the home maintenance department.  You will have to re apply frequently, but it is very easy and one bottle will last for years

Ah,You got me..