[MaximX]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I painted an old rusty exhaust with Duplicolor high heat paint (1200F), and it is peeling off of the header after only running the bike for two minutes with the headers on.

Per instructions, I sandblasted the old headers, cleaned them with acetone, painted the headers, baked them in my oven, and then put them back on.

Some pics attached.

I am really disappointed! I don't think it is my fault. The only thing I can think of is that I may have put the first coat on too heavy. But I don't think so.



[attachment deleted by admin]

 

[ChopperCharles]

Solution is easy. Wrap the headers in heat wrap tape from JC Whitney, and paint THAT black. Worked great on my chopper, which had the exact paint peeling problem.

Here's a pic: http://choppercharles.com/cs/chopper/Done/right_front.jpg

That being said, I switched to Rustoleam BBQ Grill paint for my EX500 headers and mufflers, and that stuff stuck, doesn't need baking, doesn't leave your hands black after handling the exhaust, and hasn't peeled so far, even after sitting exposed to atmosphere for 4 months, and going through 5 tankfulls of gas. And I did virtually no prep. I just cleaned the dirt off the pipes and sprayed it on.

Charles.

 

[MrSciTrek]

Shoot, maybe someone could rig up some sort of wiring to hold bacon onto the headers.
Get it ready for a BLT after the ride. 8)

 

[Red-Leg]

Yeah, the parts bike I bought with my '89 had a full Vance & Hines two into one system on it and within seconds after starting the bike with that exhaust mounted the paint began baking off. I thought I had an exhaust leak it was so bad at first.

I don't know the history of the parts bike but am figuring that the nice shiny black paint on the V&H headers was not a factory job.

I plan on sanding them down and I guess I'll try the spray paint recommended above.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I used the Rustoleum a few times. If you do it right it should last about a year if you ride a lot before it shows any signs of ware.

I've heard of better results with spray on ceramic type paint. If you want to go all the way get Jet Hot to coat them. Then it's good for life, comes in shiney chrome or any color you want.

 

[brian0488]

i used the same paint (duplicolor high heat) and didnt have any problems. i just sanded it with 80 grit and painted it the way it says on the back of the can - 2 light coats followed by 1 heavier coat with about 10 minutes inbetween coats. they smoked a little the first time i started the bike, i dont know if this is normal or not, but it only smoked for the first 2 minutes, then it was ok.

 

[mike_drz]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I painted an old rusty exhaust with Duplicolor high heat paint (1200F), and it is peeling off of the header after only running the bike for two minutes with the headers on.

Per instructions, I sandblasted the old headers, cleaned them with acetone, painted the headers, baked them in my oven, and then put them back on.

Some pics attached.

I am really disappointed! I don't think it is my fault. The only thing I can think of is that I may have put the first coat on too heavy. But I don't think so.

I used the same duplicolor paint, picked up a few cans from walmart. I too spent hours prepairing the hearders by sanding and using acetone to eliminate oil off the surface. I let it dry for 48 hours, it bubbled and flaked almost as soon as i started the bike. Personally i think this stuff is garbage. The second time i had to sand off the old coat and put on a new coat. This time i used more paint and put it in the oven aswell. It lasted a little longer but still peeled after a week.

 

[knightslugger]

Brand New Headers cost about $82 a side.

18049-1402 (Left side)
18049-1403 (Right side)

That's Retail. Getting them at cost is considerably cheaper. If you know someone who works at a Stealer- *ehem* DEALERship or retail outlet (Like Cycle Gear) you should be able to get them at discount.

I do not advise wraping the headers.  if you ever ride in wet weather or wash the bike, the wrap will soak up the water and trap it.  when you start the motorcycle, the steel will get hot, vaporizing the water, but keeps it near the steel.  This causes the steel to oxidize rapidly.  Heat + Water + Oxygen = Incredible amounts of rust.  It does look pretty trick, and does keep heat away from other parts of the motor, but it has it's adverse effects which i belive outweigh it's usefulness on a motorcycle.

 

[sarcasmo]

I suggest getting your headers ceramic coated. I did that on the last couple cars I built and the result was not only beautiful, but very functional (nice, low underhood temps). The cost isn't prohibitive at most places - so long as you can be without your pipes for a week or two. I was lucky in that there is a place about 15 miles from my house that offers the coatings in lots of different colors. Others might have to send them in.

 

[exer]

I have never used Duplicolor exhaust paint, but I do know that if you clean stuff with acetone and it doesn't dry completely, paint will not stick.

I just bought some Eastwood exhaust paint but haven't tried it yet.
I have never had any of their stuff "fail" yet, but I have also tried the bbq grill paint on a couple old bikes and it worked good, I was amazed that it lasted for several years, even on headers that were real rusty.

Of course the best solution is the ceramic coating, like jet-hot.

 

[ChopperCharles]

Dunno about all that. My wrapped headers lasted for two years of hard abuse before I sold the chopper, and they were still nice and solid. And they were crappy MAC headers to begin with.

Charles.

 

[Apriliarider]

Dupli Color=crap paint. If you want good stuff, buy some VHT. It's gonna work....sean

 

[ratchet]

pssst.... VHT is made by duplicolor

 

[Twowheels]

If you find a paint / process that works be sure to update this thread so we all can benifit from your experience. Thanks....

 

[Apriliarider]

pssst.... VHT is made by duplicolor

Really? I thought VHT was a name brand. Their website has no references at all to DupliColor.
http://www.vhtpaint.com/flameproof.html
***EDIT***
It's on the bottom of the website in small print. They're a division of DupliColor...which is owned by Sherwin Williams. I always knew VHT as an individual company. Guess they got bought out.......sean

 

[Nuclieye]

I used this http://www.epinions.com/Paint-Rust-Oleum_RustOleum_12_Oz_BBQ_Black_Heat_Resistant_Spray_Paint_Enamel on the used V & H 2 into 1 header and the pipe I made on my conversion and it has held up great.

First I sanded the rusty pipes I got (came from Canada) and used an air hose to blow off all dust. Then cleaned with lacquer thinner and applied 3 light coats letting each one flash off for 5 minutes in the sun. After another hour I shot one more medium coat on and let it dry an hour then mounted the pipe and warmed the bike up to idle temp. I let it cool to the touch and warmed it to idle again. Then started riding it for a 30 mile highway ride and its been great ever since.

 

[ratchet]

If you find a paint / process that works be sure to update this thread so we all can benifit from your experience. Thanks....

I sprayed my headers with VHT flameproof about a month back.
http://www.ex-500.com/index.php/topic,5071.msg274381.html#msg274381
still holding up so far.

 

[Guest]

just leave the headers alone. Kawasaki made them thick and they last 40,000 miles before they rust through. That's when I had to replace mine - with stainless ones.

 

[ratchet]

I didn't spray mine bacause I was worried about them rusting through... I sprayed them because they were ugly as ****

 

[neumannzz]

it could also be an issue with running lean. does your headers get red hot?