can i paint my exhaust pipes

[blackvalkyrie]

My pipes coming out of the engine looks very crappy and beat up until they reach the covers...can i paint them with vht paint?

[R J]

You could try it, but it will probably only last like 3 months or so.

I had mine ceramic coated.

Then I got Viking pipes that were also ceramic coated.

To date they are holding up very good.

[pancho]

I painted the headers on my Cobras over a year ago with Rustoleum high temp Stove Paint,, roughed up and smoothed the chrome real good for prep (sandblast and sandpaper is best),, haven't even had to touch them up yet.  This picture was about two weeks ago,  11K miles since painting.

[Bugslayer]

My pipes coming out of the engine looks very crappy and beat up until they reach the covers...can i paint them with vht paint?

Yes, you can paint them. I used "Rust-Oleum High Heat" spray paint. (2000* paint) with good results.

[quexpress]

My pipes coming out of the engine looks very crappy and beat up until they reach the covers...can i paint them with vht paint?

Try polishing them. You could be pleasantly surprised ... stainless steel!  

[John Schmidt]

Norman, what type of polishing compound did you use? Almost looks red but can't tell for sure.

[Jess from VA]

When painting pipes (or most things), a couple super light coats always gets a better result than one goopy thick coat.

[Joe Hummer]

I used the VHT FlameProof Paint.  Done it this winter and it seems to be holding up pretty good.  You have to cure out the paint but you can do that on the bike. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

My pipes coming out of the engine looks very crappy and beat up until they reach the covers...can i paint them with vht paint?

Try polishing them. You could be pleasantly surprised ... stainless steel!  

I thought they were chrome not S.S.?

[quexpress]

Norman, what type of polishing compound did you use? Almost looks red but can't tell for sure.

It was not me John! My good friend Jean from VRCC France sent me these pics.
I believe that the compound is brown ... but could be wrong.
IMHO if we use a compound which is intended for stainless steel, we'll be all set.
BTW I will not tackle this before winter. It's now riding season up here.
Take care!
Normand

[quexpress]

I thought they were chrome not S.S.?

Yup! Me too! ... and I'm sure that we are not alone LOL!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I thought they were chrome not S.S.?

Yup! Me too! ... and I'm sure that we are not alone LOL!

[pancho]

Yeah,, if the stock pipes are stainless steel, no use in painting them,,, they will certainly polish out.

[Otus]

But if you do decide to paint I would go with the ceramic coat. It's pricey but it works and it keeps the heat in the pipes so there is less engine heat. You can do it yourself , it just brushes on and then you cure it by getting the pipes hot. Comes in silver and black.

[Jean the Black Wolf]

Norman, what type of polishing compound did you use? Almost looks red but can't tell for sure.

It was not me John! My good friend Jean from VRCC France sent me these pics.
I believe that the compound is brown ... but could be wrong.
IMHO if we use a compound which is intended for stainless steel, we'll be all set.
BTW I will not tackle this before winter. It's now riding season up here.
Take care!
Normand

Hi everyone !!! thx Normand
yes it's my exhaust on pics , here it is the link to find a polish kit , sorry it's in EU ,
https://www.matthys.net/fr/Shop/28/polissage-ni-kit/1
https://www.matthys.net/fr/Shop/28/polissage-ni-kit/514/kit-de-polissage-25-37-50-mm
later Bros
jean

[R J]

Do you have access to ceramic or powder coating?  If so, I'd go that route.

If ya paint them, it would probably be a job to keep them looking nice.

[blackvalkyrie]

now i'm thinking maybe polish em..didn't want to take em off the bike ..was just gonna clean em up and spray vht flat black.. not so sure I want to do all the work....rather just ride for now. thanks to everyone who offered advice. I love that this blog exists... you guys and gals are the best

Do you have access to ceramic or powder coating?  If so, I'd go that route.

If ya paint them, it would probably be a job to keep them looking nice.

[Jean the Black Wolf]

 

[O-B-1]

Norman, what type of polishing compound did you use? Almost looks red but can't tell for sure.

In high school we used a red "rouge" (yeah, like the gals' makeup) polish that came in a hard stick form to put final polish on the lapidary (rock) work we were doing.

So the polish may be something similar.

[nogrey]

I painted the headers on my Cobras over a year ago with Rustoleum high temp Stove Paint,, roughed up and smoothed the chrome real good for prep (sandblast and sandpaper is best),, haven't even had to touch them up yet.  This picture was about two weeks ago,  11K miles since painting.

Off topic but......why is your bike in a graveyard?