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Just wondering if anyone has ever painted their bike exhaust headers with high temp paint?

One of the few things that I def do not like about the old 14 or the new 14R is the way the header pipes get a rust patina high up behind the radiator.

Don't know why Kawi couldn't use a better material to start with, but they did not.

So......thinking of just cleaning and then painting these pipes black. That would "solve" my aestheic issues with the appearance of the front side view.

Would anyone have advice as to paint to use and its durability?

I have been used to putting an oil cleaner or similar on the pipes and removing the rusty patina for a while but would like something more permanent and think black headers would look good.
Thanks for any input!

Jet Hot Coatings?

autozone and get the header paint should say something along the lines of flame proof. the stuff works well and sprays thick.

I asked the same question a long while back. Didn't get very positive feedback on painting exhaust. I'd try it on the headers, though. Ceramic will look better and be more durable if done by a good shop but paint is not too hard to remove with sand paper if you have the time. Saw a mat black spray painted muffler and it looked painted. Not a substitute for ceramic.

Yes I did this after I got rid of this Cat!

^^^That looks nice.

How did the color and adhesion hold up to heat, Bean?

How did the color and adhesion hold up to heat, Bean?

Thanks, guys, for all your input ; that does look great Bean!

Don't think I wanta go to all that detail. If I'm gonna take it off, I might as well put a new exhaust on.

Will try some of the paint coatings that you suggest in patches on one pipe at first and see what looks best and stays put. Then will carefully try to spray the headers in place.

Used to earn part of my living by spray painting machinery; actually had a journeyman card at one time.

Much obliged.

I had Classic Coatings ceramic my CT-Duals and it made a noticeable difference in reducing heat from the exhaust. And probably in HP and torque too, if racing data are any indication.

And it never cracked, flaked, or in anyway degraded. Done well, it becomes almost part of the metal.

I had my header ceramic coated. I chose the "bright silver" like most others. I wouldn't bother with paint. I think it will chip too easily and (if black) probably heat fade and turn an ash color. Won't look good at all after a while.

Ceramic coated here too! Went with the bright silver also and after 5 years, still looks great!

Redtrace, thats the look I like. I live in upstate NY as well, was it some one local who coated it for you?

Unfortunately no. I sent it away during the off season. It took about a month from when I sent it to when I received it. The company I used was Performance Coatings. If you do a search with the term "ceramic coated" and me for the user, you will find a lot of info on reasons why, companies we used, and other issues.

* Last updated by: redtrace on 3/20/2013 @ 11:22 AM *