POWDER COATING HEADERS ON THE VALKYRIE

[98 VALK]

I was at the gun show in Mobile Al today and one of the booths was a powder coating co & he had a lot of examples that he had powder coated. He had some headers off a motorcycle that he had just done black and they were excellent. Has anyone done this to their bike and if so how did it turn out. If i'am not mistaken the headers on the Valk are a double wall. Will this be a problem with the double wall. Also he said they had to be cleaned before they were coated. Being that the headers are not separate on the valk will cleaning it cause or be a problem. Mine are toast and it really takes away from a beautiful bike. I would love to do just the headers flat black but I wanted some feedback on anyone that has done this and does it last or consequences of doing this. The guy said it would withstand 1800 degrees. Flat black would look great on my bike. Thanks for any help.

[big poppa pump]

Don't know about powder coating's durability, mine are ceramic coated on the black/red hotrod.

[Bighead]

I was at the gun show in Mobile Al today and one of the booths was a powder coating co & he had a lot of examples that he had powder coated. He had some headers off a motorcycle that he had just done black and they were excellent. Has anyone done this to their bike and if so how did it turn out. If i'am not mistaken the headers on the Valk are a double wall. Will this be a problem with the double wall. Also he said they had to be cleaned before they were coated. Being that the headers are not separate on the valk will cleaning it cause or be a problem. Mine are toast and it really takes away from a beautiful bike. I would love to do just the headers flat black but I wanted some feedback on anyone that has done this and does it last or consequences of doing this. The guy said it would withstand 1800 degrees. Flat black would look great on my bike. Thanks for any help.

If he will guarantee them good to 1800*F I would see no problem with it.

[pancho]

The headers were looking pretty shabby on my bumblebee, so I sanded and painted them with Rustoleum high temperature stove paint in a rattle can three years ago. They still look pretty good,, I will probably redo them in a couple of years. A couple of afternoons work and total cost around 12 bucks and a set of exhaust gaskets.

[Pete]

As you may remember the early Goldwings had painted exhaust. (black)
And it was common to renew the paint every few years with a VHT type paint.

The paint being more porous than chrome would stain and discolor over time.
I would expect a similar situation with powder coat and have seen other powder coated  parts do the same as paint over time when exposed to heat.

It it were mine I would just sand and paint with a high quality VHT paint and renew every few years.

VHT - Very High Temp 

[Gavin_Sons]

I used vht on my brothers headers. Sanded them with 80 grit sandpaper first then cleaned them with alcohol. 4 coats later we were installing them to go through the curing process. 3 years later they still look great. All for about 20 bucks.

[h13man]

I also used VHT on my tips. Cleaned them today removing tar, grime, etc. with WD40 and show no signs of paint issues. Good chit.

http://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/engine-paint/vht-paints-cast-iron-high-temperature-engine-enamel/464602_0_0/

I'm also a big fan of ceramic coating also.

[Romeo]

I took my stock pipes to a powdercoater here in the Detroit area. He wouldnt do them due to the fact he didnt want to put them in the polishing beads afterwards. Said the soot from the inside would shake out and ruin his beads. He suggested a "special" hogh temp coating that was sprayed on, but didnt need the bead polishing. I had him go ahead with it. He said it wouldnt fade with time or heat. He was right, for about two years. They still look ok, but the bottom surfaces are showing some wear.

[dragonslayer]

My 2Bros 6x6 really looked ratty so had them ceramic coated and told the guy to shoot the inside of the headers also.What a difference,looked good and took the that raspy high pitch noise out of them.They are still loud but a much mellowed sound now.Would do it again,and only cost me $200.

[98 VALK]

Thanks for everyones advice. I have never spray painted headers with a can before and was unsure that it would last or not. The answer is it will last. I did a little research last night and found a spray can of VHT paint called FLAME PROOF with a temp up to 2000 F. They also make a primer to spray on first  that they recommend. It seems very reasonably priced also. I will give this a try & report back. Thanks for everyone's input it was very helpful.

THEIR SITE IS  (  www.eastwood.com  )

[Bighead]

Thanks for everyones advice. I have never spray painted headers with a can before and was unsure that it would last or not. The answer is it will last. I did a little research last night and found a spray can of VHT paint called FLAME PROOF with a temp up to 2000 F. They also make a primer to spray on first  that they recommend. It seems very reasonably priced also. I will give this a try & report back. Thanks for everyone's input it was very helpful.

THEIR SITE IS  (  www.eastwood.com  )

You can buy VHT at Lowes.

[Gavin_Sons]

And auto zone. They make a bunch of different colors.  May have to have them order it but it is well worth it. Sand your headers first with 120 grit paper to rough them up then spray away, it dries quick but required a series of warm ups to cure all the way. I did 4 coats and it has held up great.

[..]

The headers were looking pretty shabby on my bumblebee, so I sanded and painted them with Rustoleum high temperature stove paint in a rattle can three years ago. They still look pretty good,, I will probably redo them in a couple of years. A couple of afternoons work and total cost around 12 bucks and a set of exhaust gaskets.

Good looking bike right there

[Bugslayer]

I spray painted my TBR's.  When I bought them (used), the headers were REALLY blued.  They're single wall pipes, so the headers get plenty hot. The paint has held up really well. One thing I did a little different... I put a fine wire wheel on my bench grinder, and removed all of the blue/chrome from the headers. It may not have been necessary, but I'm happy with the results.