Painting a Chrome Exhaust

[Uthor]

Does anyone have a general idea how much it would cost to paint a chromed exhaust? I'd like to make it a flat/matte black. This would include the mufflers. A decent looking rattle can job is all I'm looking for, not something worth more than my bike.

I've heard various reports on how to do it. The one that seems the most professional would be to have it sand blasted before painting, then using a high temp paint like those used on fireplaces.

I've also heard reports of sanding/scuffing the paint and using a special primer works on chrome, but that doesn't sound like something that would hold up in the heat.

The two things I'm worried about is the paint pealing off the chrome and blistering from the heat. Header wrap will cover the blistering if it comes to that, but the pealing makes it just a waste of time and money.

[relli]

i think your going to need to have it powder coated

[v2stix]

There are a number of ways to do this, one is to take it to a chrome platers and have it dipped,(they can reverse the process and take the chrome off) but they might not want to do it because of the carbon on the inside of the pipe,it could cause contamination in their vats.
Second way would be to have them sand/grit blasted,you don't need to take all the chrome off as all you need is a roughed surface for the paint to stick to,
third option is to sand off the chrome leaving you with a roughed up surface as in the sand blasting process,
or lastly you could get hold of some acid (hydroclauric) (sp)as used in bateries and sit them in a bath of it,this will take the surface coating off and leave a rough surface for the paint to stick to.
The acid method is probably the most dangerous way t do it as it can burn you if you get it on your skin (so this is only a suggestion, )
The cheapest way is to use a sander and sand it off, I think the fire place paint would be ok but there is special paints for painting exhausts and it comes in various colours.
Not sure if powder coating would hold up close to the cylinder heads as it gets pretty hot there,should be ok on the mufflers but not sure about the header pipes.

Stix

[drifty]

I used Bulldog Adhesion promoter (available at local Auto parts stores).



I put a couple of coats of this over some old chrome pipes and then hit them with Flat Black high-temp spray paint made for engines. You can also use the high-temp BBQ grill paint. Mine turned out really well. I slightly scuffed the chrome with sandpaper first.

[Uthor]

Well, I got most of my ideas from reading this thread. FYI, it seems like that website limits the amount of pages you can view before registering.

That's where I'm hearing to either sand blast ($10-$30) or wet sand, then use a spray like a PJ1 Very High Temp spray.

There's another thread about painting chrome with an adhesive primer, but that doesn't sound like it'll stand up to the heat.

The sandblasting sounds like something I can handle maybe over the winter (if the temps get warm enough), or in the spring. I was just wondering if there was any other experience around here.

I'd just wrap everything with header wrap, but I'd be concerned about heat dissipation.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by drifty

I used Bulldog Adhesion promoter (available at local Auto parts stores).



I put a couple of coats of this over some old chrome pipes and then hit them with Flat Black high-temp spray paint made for engines. You can also use the high-temp BBQ grill paint. Mine turned out really well. I slightly scuffed the chrome with sandpaper first.

Good to know.

EDIT2:
Jegs.com has the VHT paint for $12 a can, so about $40 for primer, paint, and clearcoat (for that satin finish). I'm also thinking sand blasting would be best to get rid of the crud (melted cover) and rust on the pipes. This is sounding kinda affordable.

[Shadow1979]

Well i was readin about this high temp paint that can be used. not sure much more. I wanna do the same i am changing the look of my bike and i wanna paint mu chrome pipes a flat black.

[Trashman900C]

high heat powdercoat............

[Duffy]

I have done several. Just did the V&H straight shots on the Vulcan. I have a sand blaster and used 70 grit silica sand. Worked good (actually started to take off some of chrome), wiped the pipes with paint reducer, got some ceramic particle header paint (good to 2000*) and shot it with 3 coats. Ran the bike for about 15 minutes until the paint quit smoking (burns/bakes the paint). Don't touch the paint until it cools as it's a bit "soft". I've never used the ceramic particle paint before but the standard BBQ paint only last for about 6 months before it needs to be touched up.

I checked with the local powder coater and he said the best treatment he could do would be up to 1000* and cost estimate was $125 if I took everything apart. I figured this was a cheaper way to go. Looks pretty good also.

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Duffy

I have done several. Just did the V&H straight shots on the Vulcan. I have a sand blaster and used 70 grit silica sand. Worked good (actually started to take off some of chrome), wiped the pipes with paint reducer, got some ceramic particle header paint (good to 2000*) and shot it with 3 coats. Ran the bike for about 15 minutes until the paint quit smoking (burns/bakes the paint). Don't touch the paint until it cools as it's a bit "soft". I've never used the ceramic particle paint before but the standard BBQ paint only last for about 6 months before it needs to be touched up.

I checked with the local powder coater and he said the best treatment he could do would be up to 1000* and cost estimate was $125 if I took everything apart. I figured this was a cheaper way to go. Looks pretty good also.

they told me mine was good up to 1200*...........how hot do you think the pipes get.......?

[Duffy]

He figured that the shields and mufflers probably wouldn't get much over 750-800*. The pipes themselves probably get closer to 1500* I would think.

I know the big trucks pyrometer gets up to about 1200* when I'm wailing on it to get over a pass, but that's diesel and turbo'ed.

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Duffy

He figured that the shields and mufflers probably wouldn't get much over 750-800*. The pipes themselves probably get closer to 1500* I would think.

i only had the heat shields done so i should be okay..........

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by Trashman900C

i only had the heat shields done so i should be okay..........

Yeah, I think you should be good. Rode the bike to work today and really cooked the paint on the pipes. Now I'll find out how long it's good for.

[AdamT2]

first post and he brings back a thread from 2007 lol

[Ride4Life]

Originally Posted by AdamT2

first post and he brings back a thread from 2007 lol

Nothing wrong with that, he searched out what hes looking for plus there might be alot of new and exciting ideas in the last 2 years.

[VULCAN ACEHOLE]

Originally Posted by Ride4Life

Nothing wrong with that, he searched out what hes looking for plus there might be alot of new and exciting ideas in the last 2 years.

+1. Now maybe we can find out how some of these ideas held up for the past couple of years too.

[AdamT2]

well drifty got banned , v2stix hasnt posted since 2007, and relli since december. It's up to you Uthor!!!


On another note..... It cost me $120 to get mine blasted and ceramic coated and it's good up to 2000 degrees

[Uthor]

Heh, first time I've logged into this site in a couple of months and I see an old thread resurrected. Was searching for something else and stumbled upon this on accident, to boot.

I haven't done any work on the bike. I decided that it's not a bike I will keep forever and blacking out the exhaust would hurt any resale value I have left.

Now to finish paying off my car and finding an affordable Versys. Oh, and getting work again.