C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Why heat wrap causes rust

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:16 PM
  #1  
eptaylor's Avatar
eptaylor
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: clinton ut
Default Why heat wrap causes rust

If the exhaust is hot howcome I read from people that heat wrap on headers, etc. causes rust? Why would moisture remain to cause rust???
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
BADDUCK's Avatar
BADDUCK
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Default

I suppose some people actually drive these things in the rain! Or take such short trips that the condensation doesn't have time to burn off!
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:55 PM
  #3  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Heat wrap doesn't cause rust it merely provides the environment to augment its formation.

If you don't want rusty headers get them ceramic coated.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 08:57 PM
  #4  
Bad Karma's Avatar
Bad Karma
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
Default

Yeah, I will never use header wrap, it's not as effective as ceramic coating and it promotes rust.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #5  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,157
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

Wrap traps moisture and helps its formation.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:18 PM
  #6  
Pat Hill's Avatar
Pat Hill
6th Gear
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by eptaylor
If the exhaust is hot howcome I read from people that heat wrap on headers, etc. causes rust? Why would moisture remain to cause rust???
It causes the damage when the car is off while it is sitting in the garage. The moisture is absorbed and penetrates the header wrap on the exhaust and rusts it,.Hope this helps....
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 09:32 PM
  #7  
KeyWestJack's Avatar
KeyWestJack
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Is there a problem with using it on the egr pipe or using a wrap (blanket) around the starter?
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:04 PM
  #8  
coupeguy2001's Avatar
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Default heat wrap

a better way is what I did. (puffs out chest)

I got aluminum tape (the shiny kind about .005 thick) and got fiberglas insulation, and pulled the insulation apart till it was about an inch thick.
Then scrunched it and coated both sides with the aluminum tape, and made a small blanket. then wrapped it around the EGR pipe, and added more aluminum tape to close the seam.
It has been on my car about 4 years now, and the tape looks as good as the saturday I put it on the car.

I would guess it would work on exhaust as well.
but it would look dorky on headers
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:54 PM
  #9  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

I tried some Al wrap over my ratty EGR tube but finally sprang for the $$ and bought a new wrapped pipe for my '88; good idea you had there...

I think a wrap for the starter would be ok as it isn't mild steal so not as quick to rust away and doesn't get as hot. It's the combo of heat & trapped moisture on mild steel that promotes the rusting.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Why heat wrap causes rust





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:32 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE