Looking for hi-temp spray paint for headers.

[John Schmidt]

I read in "search" that Rustoleum makes a 2000 deg. hi temp spray so off to Home Depot I go. Only to find all they have is black....I'm looking for silver. This is to be used on the headers for my GL1200 project, they're aftermarket and blued up rather quickly. I can only find 1200 degree silver so I'm wondering if that will hold up, or should I keep looking for the 2000 deg. version.

[Bighead]

John contact JoevalkIS he used some sort of High temp paint on his headers I just can't remember t
He brand

[Lyle Laun]

John:
I'd be surprised if your Valk headers would ever reach 1200 degrees.

Lyle

[big poppa pump]

http://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-flameproof-coating

[MarkT]

John:
I'd be surprised if your Valk headers would ever reach 1200 degrees.

Lyle

So would I.  Also I have used VHT paint with good results, in the past.  These high temp paints, you rough up the surface by sanding or the like, make sure it's clean like with alcohol, apply the paint as prescribed, install the pipes with minimal handling, and go for a ride to heat them up and cure the paint.

[John Schmidt]

Got a chuckle from the link Big Poppa gave. On the list of colors, the first one is listed with "grey" in the name whereas the fourth one is listed with "gray" in the name. I guess noticing that comes from so many years checking gov't. audit files for proper statutory application and the associated write-up. Well educated people can sure murder the Kings English.  

I have found that VHT paint at O'Reilly's auto parts, but don't recall if it's the "very" high temp. Have to go look at it again.

Note to Lyle Luan, see my post.....this is for the headers on my GL1200 project bike, not the Valk. Although I can't see where the 1200 would run any hotter.

PS: Just had a thought....dangerous though it may be(thinking, that is)!  I might consider painting the entire exhaust system a flat black; headers, mufflers(off an HD Sporster), and the extension in between. The bike's frame is Hammered Black, the tank is off a black/silver '99 Valk, the fenders and side covers will be a black/silver combo. Guess I just made up my alleged mind, besides....black is easier to find in the 2000 degree version. So, next question; should I remove as much bluing as possible before painting? Or just rough it up a bit and spray!!! 

[Roadog]

  Combustion chamber's are in the 1350 degree range. Don't know how cooler the head pipes are.  That can be measured using a temp gun.  Ceramic coatings will stand up to exhaust temps.  You can get them from Eastwood co.  You can even brush it on, it smooths out while curing . No brush marks on my race car headers painted 25 years ago and still looks good.   Check them out, available in just about any color.  I used silver looks really good.  There are company's you can send your stuff to and they will ceramic coat them and most have a lifetime warranty.  Jet Hot is one co. that will coat your exhaust systems . There are others. 

Roadog

[big poppa pump]

The cobras on my Black Hotrod are Ceramic coated. I just love the fact that I can hardly feel any heat from my pipes at all. I did end up paying a pretty penny to get them done since there were 6 pipes that had to be coated.

[John Schmidt]

Well, just went to a local NAPA shop for some 9/16" freeze plugs to do a desmog and found they had two cans left of silver VHT spray, 1300-2000* stuff. It's kind of a flat silver or gray but should do the trick. Now all I have to spray is the headers instead of the entire exhaust.

I'm swapping out the engine on the 1200, hopefully this weekend. Found a FI engine in PA with 23k on it so snapped it up, mine was "running" but not that great and it smoked a lot. I spent a couple days converting it from FI to carb configuration, the last set of gaskets ordered are for the coolant tubes on top and should be here tomorrow. Once that's done the engine goes in. That should give plenty of time for the headers to dry.

[Pete]

I have also used VHT for years and it does a good job, but like any paint in 3 years or so it will need a recoat to maintain those good looks.

Seems like i have see 1100 degrees on a heat gun when pointed directly at the head header connection.

[Gavin_Sons]

Did my brothers tourer headers in black 2 years ago and it still looks like I just sprayed them yesterday. I did put 4 heavy coats on though.