Hooker Header/Sidepipe Paint Options?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Stowe Vermont
Hooker Header/Sidepipe Paint Options?
I bought black hooker sidepipes awhile ago, they are starting to peel in some spots, i also have to take the headers off the car as well, what options do i have as far as a worthwhile repaint? Powdercoating? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Local (industrial) powdercoater could do a heat-resistant coating for you for cheap (compared tot jet-hot).
Other option is spray yourself with BBQ paint from Hammerite (works really well!) or VHT and such. Requires lots of elbow grease though.
And then there is jet-hot of course, but you might as well buy new (stainless) ones for their prices.
Other option is spray yourself with BBQ paint from Hammerite (works really well!) or VHT and such. Requires lots of elbow grease though.
And then there is jet-hot of course, but you might as well buy new (stainless) ones for their prices.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMOE the original paint never lasts very long. But, I've had good results with both VHT and BBQ paint by cleaning them very, very thoroughly and heating them up (as evenly as practical) until the paint just begins to steam/smoke as you spray it on. Oh, and did I mention cleaning them thoroughly?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Stowe Vermont
IMOE the original paint never lasts very long. But, I've had good results with both VHT and BBQ paint by cleaning them very, very thoroughly and heating them up (as evenly as practical) until the paint just begins to steam/smoke as you spray it on. Oh, and did I mention cleaning them thoroughly?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,903
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
sand blast and wipe them with lacquer thinner then spray them. I'd recommend a local ceramic coater. ceramic coating has real advantages over paint. i believe VHT has a high temp paint that has ceramic but i don't know how good it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
In the for-what-it's-worth department: I've had the same header sidepipes for more than 35 years! I've sandblasted them countless times over the decades and repainted with flat black Sperex VHT out of a quart can using my primer gun. The blasting gives the paint the best 'tooth' or something to hang on to. But it will also rip bits from whatever rag material you use to wipe the lacquer thinner. Which will show up as little 'fuzzies' once painted.
Keep your greasy mitts off the freshly blasted metal and you don't need to solvent wipe at all.
If someone else is doing the blasting and subsequent greasy handling, a better way to apply the thinner is to use a squirt bottle. Spritz on the thinner, then blow dry with clean compressed air.
Keep your greasy mitts off the freshly blasted metal and you don't need to solvent wipe at all.
If someone else is doing the blasting and subsequent greasy handling, a better way to apply the thinner is to use a squirt bottle. Spritz on the thinner, then blow dry with clean compressed air.
Last edited by 69 Chevy; Jul 22, 2011 at 08:51 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Seriously, that would give you a bit of a head start, but I usually use a propane torch (or two) and only heat and paint one item at a time. IMOE it's worth paying a little extra attention at and near the flange and at the collector. Depending on weather and usage it should last pretty well for at least 2-3 years if not longer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Stowe Vermont
Well i just called a local-ish ceramic coater and they quoted me about 460 to do headers/pipes. That seems reasonable to me, but is jet-hot really that much more expensive? Why are they so expensive (are they better)?
