[MaximX]

Hi, I just bought an old used exhaust header for my bike. The seller told me that it was rusty, but had no holes or dings. How should I de-rust the header and paint it? Thanks.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Sand it down, wire brush the areas that are hard to reach. Clean it good with some windex and white paper towel. When there is no more paint on the towel, put on multiple coats of grill paint.

If you do a good job it will last you at least a year. If you do a crummy job a few months.

 

[MaximX]

Is there no permanent fix? How did Kawasaki paint our exhausts that it lasts longer?

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I dunno what kind of paint they use. But it's better for sure.

Jet Hot is a good permanent fix.

 

[bitzz]

I would sandblast it, then use a high temp paint (High Temp "Header" paint is available at auto parts stores).

BUT if you sand or sandblast the pipe BE SURE to clean it well. Silica sand in piston rings is NOT a pretty sight...or cheap. Run soapy water through it before you paint.

 

[MaximX]

hmmm... I just called a local coater. He quoted me about $150 - $200 bucks for plain black ceramic coating that shouldn't rust.

I think I might go the cheap route and sand blast it and paint it using VHT flameproof paint. I realize it might just last a year. But it claims to last longer.

I really wish I had caught this before I bought the bike! Oh well...

 

[knightslugger]

Kawasaki didn't paint the pipes, ever IIRC.

 

[MaximX]

IIRC? Sorry - not hip to the lingo.

The stock pipes are black - how did they get that way?

 

[Guest]

IIRC - If I recall Correctly

As for pipes, not sure if they ever came painted. The heat resistant paint sounds like the most economical route to me.

 

[knightslugger]

IIRC? Sorry - not hip to the lingo.

The stock pipes are black - how did they get that way?

Thanks Royson for the lingo breakdown. that is correct.

How did the pipes get black? donno, the same reason smooth steel conduit piping is black i suppose. I do know that they were not painted.

It's not really black though... dark, but not black. almost like rifle barrel bluing. that would make sense to me...

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I know there is paint on them from the factory. I've seen it flake off with the bare steel showing below. The steel is naturally shiney.

 

[MaximX]

Too bad that all of these coatings are either cheap and won't last, or are too expensive to make sense. I will try the painting and let you guys know what happens!

I would be interested to know if there is some way to restore the factory finish though.

 

[MaximX]

I called the local autozone, and they said they have VHT "Flameproof" paint, which is supposed to go to 1500F for $8. We shall see tonight!

 

[MaximX]

I haven't done the work yet. Probably sometime this week though. I will keep you guys updated. Maybe even pics!

 

[milosheap]

so, what kind of result did you get and how much did it cost? i'm thinking of doing the same thing since i scraped mine.

 

[CB750F]

I called the local autozone, and they said they have VHT "Flameproof" paint, which is supposed to go to 1500F for $8. We shall see tonight!

Follow the directions on the can. Follow them exactly and the paint will last and turn out good. Header paint isn't really a paint so to speak it's more like a coating that needs to be applied and cured correctly. VHT is good stuff BTW.

 

[knightslugger]

Why not polish them up again?

 

[fog]

K used a Chenical coating. Black Oxide. or a similar treatment. Black Oxide is a controled rust, dyed black then sealed. It's a bit better than nothing , but not much.

FOG

 

[milosheap]

hehe oops, my mind must have been somewhere else when i was reading this post. it was my exhaust/muffler that was scratched and not the header. see pix. i went ahead and bought some duplicolor high heat paint and primer because i couldn't find the vht stuff. now i'm having second thoughts since i'd have to bake it in the oven after painting to get the best result. i'm afraid the packing material inside the exhaust might have issues, e.g. burning or weird odor.

i'm thinking i could either do two things: re-polish it or buy a new one. you guys/gals got any ideas on how to re-polish and which products to use? or know where i can score a scratched free one for $50 or so? tried the craigslist in my area, and it was a no go. i live between the bay area and sacramento. your help is much appreciated.

hey fog, would black oxiding work on an exhaust too?

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[CB750F]

On the CB I just started it up and left it idle with a fan in front of the motor. Looks great.