Topic: Painting the exhaust system

[Grosen]

Hi

I bought a Honda CB 550F from 1975 two weeks ago and can't wait working on it. I have been reading a lot of threads in here, and thanks for a lot of great information

I have to paint the exhaust system as the chrome is in bad shape. What kind of black paint can i use for this? Is has to resist the high temperatures.

Thanks

Grosen

[tygrant]

your local hardware store should have some high temp spray paint,  usualy used on stoves, grills and exhausts


here is some i just saw on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-3-HIGH-TEMP-12OZ-BLACK-WOOD-STOVE-SPRAY-PAINT_W0QQitemZ110313496791QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item110313496791&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[Grosen]

Thanks, i'll try the local hardware store...

[A Grove]

Go to walmart and take your pick.  Mine was made by duplicolor, has probly 7-8 hours of hard use on it and still hasn't started flaking, etc.  Plan to wrap things eventually.

[flybox1]

I used some high-temp engine header paint to line the inside of the horn.  Found it at the local auto store. Covered up the area just fine. Be sure to prep the are well to be sure it adhears.

[A Grove]

Forgot to mention that... I have a sandblaster in the basement, so I used that.  Prep is a big must, especially when trying to paint chrome.  Either sand it off, or get it blasted.  My advice.

[chrislib]

I used the cheap-o BBQ from the depot,lowes etc. IIRC it was like 6 bucks or so for the can. The key is the prep, scuff the surface very well and get it grease free. I then used a propane torch to pre-heat the tubes and sprayed on several light coats.I did not prep mine as well as I could have because I was planning on using wrap, I have since decided that I like the look of just the paint, that said  it has held up surprisingly well over the summers riding but I may re-do it over the winter.

[cafe2be]

Chrislib, this is the method for painting over chrome? It held that long, Hell I am going to try this over the winter then.

[flybox1]

For a paint to properly bond to a chromed surface, the surface needs to be prepped (sanded, scuffed, blasted, etc.) to a water break free condition, and then cleaned with an alcohol solvent to be free of contaminants.  any contaminants will create a weak bond, and may cause flaking after many cycles of cold to hot to cold, etc.
below is an article, for a different hobby of mine, but it describes obtaining a water break free surface to get a good surface bond and prevent any flaking or cracking. Easily applied to painting over chrome.
For chrome, use heavy steel wool or sand blasting, as stated above, to knock down the surface sheen.

http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/waterfree.html

[A Grove]

Not only does sand/media blasting get rid of the "sheen" and "scuff" up the surface, but it actually eliminates the chrome all together.  Hence fifteen or so years from now when the chrome starts to "flake" (depending on the quality of chrome), the paint wont come with it.

[78CB750CAFE]

scuff up those old chrome pipes with some Scotchbrite pads and then hit it with some DEI High Temp ceramic header paint. I have had great results with the black, red and white, and you can find it at Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, etc.  I found that regular engine/high temp paints do not hold up as well as this "ceramic" stuff.

[Grosen]

Thanks for all the tips. Would any of you, who have already done this have a picture you could upload? Just to get an idea of the finish.

Thanks.

[A Grove]

from this:


to this:


overall... I dig it blacked out better.

[chrislib]

Thanks for all the tips. Would any of you, who have already done this have a picture you could upload? Just to get an idea of the finish.

Thanks.

you can see right where the pipes bend down that the paint is flaking a bit. This pic was taken in July-ish, it has`nt gotten any worse but its still not optimal. Had I done a proper prep I`m confident it would not have flaked.

[Grosen]

Thanks for the pictures. I really like the finish on the pipes on your bike Chrislib. What muffler have you got on that bike?