Ceramic coating exhaust components
 

Coating headers , typically inside and out or just outside?

Inside and out.

It's harder, it costs more, but it is 100% better.

99% of suppliers only coat the outside, keep away from them, use a shop that does thermal coatings for heavy industry.

99% of "ceramic" coatings I've seen of automotive suppliers products are inferior and I wouldn't piss on them.

What do you think about Zybar for touching up spots on a cited header?

I'm not a coating expert.

I would take it to a place that does industrial coatings.

What prep does it need?

Found it > https://youtu.be/9hPbpZ4_5_c

I've seen alot of paint on stuff flake off.

It just looks like a typical thin paint product.

It might be good, better than nothing I suppose.

There is a joint that does DIY internal products, I have no idea on how it works IRT thermal efficiency, prep qould require specialty lines on your media blaster "I assume"...https://youtu.be/GJPLQ0uoYiY

Me, I like flame coatings, my time working in heavy industry has proved their worth.

This is a local joint that me and some of the local boys have used > http://www.flamecoatings.com.au/services.html

That Eastwood ceramic spray is like the VHT stuff, which typically chips off. Probably not good for the inside or the outside.

Header wrap would be cheaper and is a more effective thermal insulator. It doesn't resist corrosion like ceramic coatings though.

There is also headershield and heatshieldproducts. They seem overpriced.

https://headershield.com
https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/header-armor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5k8xAPORsE

spoke with Jet Hot, they say their coating is inside and out

I suppose if you get a crack anywhere other than at the ends/flanges then you might be SOL. What header are you getting or do you have?

I have HKS EL header on now, I'm waiting on a Gruppe-S UEL header which should arrive Monday. Want to compare the two.



Side note: to me, the HKS sounds great from outside, but not really satisfied with the sound from in the cabin.


Not sure I follow?

Inside and out coating is supposed to be superior to just outside coating.

Cracks can happen, even on coated pipes. If you need to weld or get the cracks welded then how would someone weld a coated pipe? Unless the crack is at the end, sanding the inside of the pipe to remove the coating to get a proper weld is virtually impossible.


If the coating fails/chips then it could get sucked back into the combustion chamber. This can sometimes happen depending on the expansion differential between the coating and the metal.


This is worth a read. Just opinions, but it summarizes some concerns:


https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...eaders.159356/


Opinions can vary.

Damn you just opened a whole can of worms I didn't know existed. Thanks though for the insight. I'll be back after analysis paralysis wears off...

It is a hard thing to balance corrosion protection and thermal management.


Coatings can help with corrosion and thermal management, but they make repairs hard, and they aren't the best at thermal management. If they chip then the internal coating can become a liability.


High end exhaust wraps are better at thermal management, but some argue that they can be too good such that there is too much heat retention, which can overheat the metal leading to cracks and such. This is evident by the fact that someone could touch a wrap after running their car without getting burnt. Wraps are definitely poor at corrosion resistance. In fact, they can accelerate rusting if against mild steel that is repeatedly exposed to the elements. Lastly, if there is an oil leak or something that drips on them then they can slightly shield the exhaust, while also acting like the wick of a candle. They can work themselves loose if poorly installed or wear out if of poorer quality.


Molded metal exhaust covers to cheap sheet metal shields provide an air of insulation between metal components. They do a good job of reducing the exposure to elements and oil drips, but they aren't the best at thermal management. They can be expensive.


It would be nice to use a coating and a wrap, but the wrap acts like sand paper and wears the coating away over time.


Everyone has their preference. My preference is to buy a good stainless steel header, which should reduce or eliminate much of the corrosion potential. Then, I like to use a quality DEI Titanium exhaust wrap, and then I like to use heat shielding where necessary to reduce exposure to the elements. This can be everything from an exhaust shield to the engine undertray.


Whatever your choice, this isn't a "set it and forget it" item on the car.

Like any coating, prep is key, even the best coatings are compromised when the prep isn't adequate.

I had to rework a coated header before it tig welded fine.