Ceramic Coated Headers

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Bergen23

Would applying a VHT paint be similar? Like, I could do it at home in my garage kind of thing?

Noooooo no no no no neeeeew.

These suckers need to be baked in an oven like a cookie.

A big metal twisty cookie.

[FISHBURGLAR]

Originally Posted by JMPeach

I ceramic coated my OFH because I was worried about salt during the winter as well. I live down in Maryland and they use a massive amount of salt on the roads. I have currently been torture testing the ceramic coating on the header by driving in the last two snow storms we have had to see how it holds up with all the salt and what not on the road. I haven't had a chance to look at the header since install but I know it cant hurt. I will probably take a look at how everything is holding up in the next few weeks as I plan on changing out my transmission and differential oil soon, but I am waiting to see if I end up pulling the trigger on some new wheels and a suspension set up first. I'll post in here as well as the OFH thread once I get a chance to look at the header.

THanks please do! im worried about the salt and heat. i dont want to replace my headers every year. i think i will send them out to get coated. its cheaper to coat them than replace them.

[FISHBURGLAR]

Originally Posted by JMPeach

It cost me $160 to get the ceramic coating done in PA, for both the inside and outside of the header, just so you have a ball park estimate of what it should cost.

thats an awesome price! i got a quote of $285 from jet hot. how was the work from where you got yours done? and was it 2000F ceramic coat?

[FISHBURGLAR]

AWESOME THANKS A MILLION!

[Timmy_Jones]

Originally Posted by RelentlessGT

I already have the Stage 1 tune and am going to Philip Island next week (so not time for headers this week).

Wait....THE Philip Island, where the superbikes raced? Awesome! Please take some pictures.

[Tbird232ci]

Originally Posted by JMPeach

I ceramic coated my OFH because I was worried about salt during the winter as well. I live down in Maryland and they use a massive amount of salt on the roads. I have currently been torture testing the ceramic coating on the header by driving in the last two snow storms we have had to see how it holds up with all the salt and what not on the road. I haven't had a chance to look at the header since install but I know it cant hurt. I will probably take a look at how everything is holding up in the next few weeks as I plan on changing out my transmission and differential oil soon, but I am waiting to see if I end up pulling the trigger on some new wheels and a suspension set up first. I'll post in here as well as the OFH thread once I get a chance to look at the header.

I live in Maryland also. The headers for my Trans Am were made by Pacesetter, so the quality of the coating and steel is questionable. In 6 years of MD weather, the coating flaked and the headers rotted out. I'm curious to see how the coating holds up since you know it's a quality coating.

[Teseo]

Its worth to ceramic coat a car headers in weather like cali? seldom rainy days also.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Its worth to ceramic coat a car headers in weather like cali? seldom rainy days also.

It's always worth it to Ceramic coat regardless of climate. Reduction of heat in the engine bay is always a plus and the manifold is cool to touch shortly after driving.

[CCPcoatings]

Originally Posted by Tbird232ci

I live in Maryland also. The headers for my Trans Am were made by Pacesetter, so the quality of the coating and steel is questionable. In 6 years of MD weather, the coating flaked and the headers rotted out. I'm curious to see how the coating holds up since you know it's a quality coating.

Although Pacesetter wouldn't be considered the highest quality set up, the fact that your coating "flaked off" sounds more indicative of excessive temps due to ill tuning i.e. too lean, too fat, either of these conditions breaking in an engine or dynoing......

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by CCPcoatings

Although Pacesetter wouldn't be considered the highest quality set up, the fact that your coating "flaked off" sounds more indicative of excessive temps due to ill tuning i.e. too lean, too fat, either of these conditions breaking in an engine or dynoing......

Pacesetters were always known to flake after some time. Kooks and American Racing Headers would not flake on you. I promise. They are the best two.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by CCPcoatings

Although Pacesetter wouldn't be considered the highest quality set up, the fact that your coating "flaked off" sounds more indicative of excessive temps due to ill tuning i.e. too lean, too fat, either of these conditions breaking in an engine or dynoing......

too fat hahaha

[CCPcoatings]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

Pacesetters were always known to flake after some time. Kooks and American Racing Headers would not flake on you. I promise. They are the best two.

First you should know that all three are using the same ceramic coating. So are the headers dis-coloring and flaking off or are they just delaminating? Two completely different things. One is a process failure and the other is temperature related.

Below is a too rich condition



Too lean


Technically too lean but shows as a delamination

[Tbird232ci]

Originally Posted by CCPcoatings

First you should know that all three are using the same ceramic coating. So are the headers dis-coloring and flaking off or are they just delaminating? Two completely different things. One is a process failure and the other is temperature related.

Kooks and ARH also coat stainless headers, where Pacesetter coats mild steel. Get a pit or chip in the coating on Pacesetter, and the rust takes over.

[lamawithonel]

Be careful what you get. There are two types of ceramic coating, but only one works well as an insulator. Most vendors don't advertize which they use and most consumers don't know the difference, hence the variability in results when threads like this come up.

The the more common type is just a glorified high-temp paint. It's applied via a spray or powder-coat technique, typically has a smooth or satin finish, and comes in a variety of colors. It contains some ceramic material, but the type and quantity of the material are usually not good enough to be an effective insulator. It is OK as a corrosion protection barrier, but as a paint, it's prone to flaking.

The better option is a zirconium dioxide-based material. Zirconium dioxide has a very low thermal conductivity, is resistant to corrosion, and has a high thermal stability (it doesn't break down at temperature.) Because of these properties it's used as an insulator and corrosion prevention coating in industrial turbines, rocket engines and nuclear reactors! This type of coating is applied via a plasma spray technique, has a very rough finish, and is typically white in color; other colors may be applied over it. Because plasma spraying essentially welds it to the substrate, it's also much more resilient. On the downside, it's a little more expensive-- but nothing crazy. The only shops that I know of using this are Swain Tech and Zircotec, but I'm sure there are others.

Here it is on a 1968 Ferrari F1 car:


And here it is on a more modern Lola LMP2 car:


And a power generation turbine: