painting exhaust pipes

tuck75sporty · #1 15th November 2006

opinions needed. i have a set of drag pipes for my 75 ironhead that are all scratched up and look ugly. thought painting them with black rustoleum heat paint. think it will stick or just buy a new set of chrome ones??

Gone · #2 15th November 2006

Near the head the paint will burn right off.

biknut · #3 15th November 2006

Ceramic coating? Probably could just get a new set of pipes for less.

JD/Batman · #4 15th November 2006

I've had good luck with the PJ1 high temp paint on my Triumph. Haven't painted the Sportie's pipes yet, but if the paint can hold up on the Brit bike I don't see why it won't work on an HD.
Later.....

rokclmb · #5 15th November 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane Wood

Near the head the paint will burn right off.

Paint them, then use exhaust wrap. That will cover if any burns off near the head.

Moved On · #6 15th November 2006

I'm interested in the PJ1 paint??? Who makes it?

I used VHT paint on mine and it wouldn't stay on up high. Most folks use exhaust tape to deal with the high end if they rattle can the pipes. Once you get down to where the pipes meet the bottom of the frame they are cool enough to hold the paint, so the last bit can stay unwrapped. I've had my pipes painted for two years. I got some rust on them last winter so I had to repaint them in the spring, but thats a pretty quick afternoon job to do while your geting everythingelse ready in the spring.

Gazza

CommandoRoadster · #7 15th November 2006

If you're painting over chrome, no paint will really stick. I dig the looks of the heat wrap myself (see above photo). That's the route I'm taking.

c pierce · #8 15th November 2006

I have never had any luck painting pipes.

thescreenman · #9 15th November 2006

I like that look also, pj1 is the make.If you can sandblast the chrome off and a header paint should work.Bring your pipes to a machine shop and ask them to beadblast them should be no more then $30.00 ,I brought car rims in from my old ford and the guy charged me $10.00 each.After painting may need to sand and hit again after awhile.Just dont paint over the chrome it will peel,flake ect.Even a good sanding job on them just get under the chrome layer.Look above is smoking but that heatwrap is like $75.00 a roll aint it?

wrenchbender · #10 15th November 2006

No, the heat wrap is cheap from hot rod shops. It's only expensive if you order it from J&P.