How do you keep black 4 into 1 headers pretty?

[gnosis]

I have a 4 into 1 exhaust header on my 80 SG. I cleaned it up real pretty and used black matte high temp header paint from Lordco. Mistake. Thye poaint burnt off and now the pipes look worse than ever. Any suggestions? I'm considering using stove black. Has anyone done this?

[jetmechmarty]

I used high temp paint from the local parts store. I don't remember what's on there now. At one time it was Rustoleum. I do it over every couple of years.

This stuff gets good reviews. I follow instructions carefully.



Another option is to dig deep and have them ceramic coated. If you do that, you'll be done.

[BA80]

If they were chromed to begin with get used to repainting them.

[motoman]

Rattle can style, Duplicolor's High-temp black WILL stay and not discolor,least their silver works THAT good.

[foreda]

Ceramic Coat

Get them ceramic coated.

[mharrington]

PJ1 exhaust satin black is OK quality. Dupli coolr BBQ black is as well. HOWEVER, they require repeated re doing and are not durable. The best is a ceramic coating.

I had this GS1000 4 into 2 Alphabet system ceramic coated for $135. Very attractive and durable.

[TADracer]

Check out Techline coatings - www.techlinecoatings.com. I have used their stuff a lot and it is all quality. They will sell a matte black ceramic finish over the internet. you need to follow their instructions to the letter but your finish will last. Still needs re-doing every few years though.

If your pipes were chromed you will need to have that blasted off with 100-120 grit Aluminum Oxide media to get the proper finish for about any high-temp paint to stick.

[mharrington]

On my own bikes I didn't sand blast off the chrome- but sandblasted the chrome to etch the surface- then wiped with laquer thinner and painted with dupli color BBQ paint. It looks good- the head pipes near the cyl head get the hottest and will need occasional respray.

In 2006 on my XS750 triple I removed the exhaust and used emory cloth to scuff the chrome (no access to S Blaster then) The sandpaper dulls quick because chrome is so hard but I scuffed it real good to where it looked like brushed stainless. Then I wiped and painted. Looked good.

[TADracer]

On my own bikes I didn't sand blast off the chrome- but sandblasted the chrome to etch the surface-

Yes, you are right and I should have worded it differently in my post above. The chrome surface does not need removal but it does need etching. that is why the Aluminum Oxide media is important because it is a triangular-ish shape with sharp edges that will etch the surface.

[jayel]

take them off, paint, hang on the wall.... any painted pipes are going to need to be touched up if used in real world riding situitions