Black sidepipes

[chopthebass]

I got FFR stainless sidepipes, but I am now thinking I like the look of them black. I see a few of you have done this. My question is what is the best paint or coating to use? Don't want it peeling or looking crappy after just one season!

Thanks
Ian

[billjr212]

i think there was a thread on this a while back, i'll see if i can find it. I would suggest you consider selling your stainless pipes to someone else and buying a set of regular pipes to paint though. Sometimes you can even find the regular pipes free when someone upgrades and just wants the old ones out of their garage.

[DaleG]

An option in black: http://ptpturboblankets.com/Cobra-Exhaust-Sleeves/

[Gumball]

I had both my 4-into-4 headers and the sidepipes ceramic coated in satin black by a local place. The headers were silver jet-hot from FFR and the sidepipes were bare (with a bit of surface rust). They blasted all four parts and coated them inside and out for just over $400 total.

[chopthebass]

Thanks. Not sure about the look of the sleeves. My stainless pipes are on back order so I may see if I can get the order changed.

So ceramic black satin will keep its good looks for a long time?

[Jeff Kleiner]

So ceramic black satin will keep its good looks for a long time?

Yes. After 7 or 8 seasons mine have taken a beating along the front two pipes because my sticky tires pick up every pebble and grain of sand on the road effectively sandblasting the coating off. I hit those with BBQ black once or twice a year but the main sections still look good.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/IMG_4535-1.jpg

Jeff

[skullandbones]

X2 on the BBQ paint. I still can't believe how well it wears. I've been using it since a friend suggested it about 3 years ago. It would be great if everything worked this well!!!

WEK.

[68GT500MAN]

Go with the high temp BBQ paint, if it needs touching up just put some cardboard between the pipe and body and touch up.
Doug

[mikiec]

I have used Pep Boys high temp satin black. In 14 years I've touched it up 3 times.

[rwantin]

+3 (or +4) on the BBQ paint. The previous owner told me he tried a number of things until he landed on it, he even gave me the can. As far as I can tell, it is holding up really well and as suggested, touching up is a breeze.

[chopthebass]

+3 (or +4) on the BBQ paint. The previous owner told me he tried a number of things until he landed on it, he even gave me the can. As far as I can tell, it is holding up really well and as suggested, touching up is a breeze.

So assuming your pipes are mild steel, did you apply directly or is there a high temp primer required?

[cgundermann]

Go to a "Caterpillar" dealer and get several cans of their flat black exhaust paint! Works great and touches up easy.

[rwantin]

So assuming your pipes are mild steel, did you apply directly or is there a high temp primer required?

He applied it directly...told me he either took them off and hung them or as mentioned, put cardboard behind them. I have yet to re-apply it, they look fine to me for now.

[chopthebass]

Are any mods/welding required to sidepipes? I changed my order to standard uncoated pipes and will be coating black. I remember seeing threads of joints splitting and needing welding?

Thanks

[skullandbones]

Hey chop: I scuffed and cleaned up the rough spots before wiping it down a couple of times with mineral spirits (clean surface important). I did not use a primer. I just put a light coat on by misting it and then subsequent wetter coats as I progressed. Even the touchups don't show up as spotted in later.

Regarding the posts you have seen about side pipe issues: if you install just one hanger bolt to the side pipe flange instead of the two, it will save failures due to torque put on the system when the engine revs up and you have it cinched down tight. So really it's just floating with a little bit of play for the hanger to not be stressed as much. It helps to have 4x4 headers as they really support the side pipes anyway. But that mod will save you a head ache and extra work down the line.

Good luck,

WEK.

[chopthebass]

Thanks Wek. Useful stuff.