Q's about header coatings.

[disco stu]

Would it be wise to only coat the outside of used headers?

Any specific requests or instructions needed for wastegate puck arms on THDP's?

Is it a common practice to NOT coat mating surfaces? How about the round mating flanges on ATR type headers?

How hard is it to remove powder coating from components (intercooler pipes / intake if you are wondering)

Any concerns about slip fit pipes?

TIA

 

[mark b]

I'll take on the coating questions.
If you do a search you will see this topic comes up numerous times, but I'll try to generalize and summarize.

Any "Jet-Hot" type standard coating is usually a version of this stuff called CermaKrome. Since TR's generate so much exhaust heat, the coaters do both the inside and outside - that's what they call their "special" high temp coating.

There are several 2000 degree coatings out there. Jet-Hot has a few colors (all dull) and Swain Technologies makes a totally different kind of coating.

The standard coating will burn off over time due to the TR exhaust heat. How long is usually the question.

There is a split debate on coating the inside of the pipes. Some say it will flake off and potentially damage the turbo. Others say no. I don't recall anyone actually posting that their turbo was damaged from flaking coating.

You can coat the flanges and stuff with no problem. Slip-fit pipes are not a problem UNLESS you use the Swain Coating. But.... they do not coat the inside of the pipe with their barier coating, so it's not a problem. The Swain stuff is totally different; it actually adds a measurable amount of material to the outside of the pipe in multiple layers forming a thermal barrier.

FWIW, I did my ATR headers with Swain.

 

[5ltretr]

I bought hi heat spray paint , the one that says super hot.

waste of money burned off in 20 seconds, the headers sure looked good before I started the car.

 

[disco stu]

Thanks for the replies. I believe I have read most all of the posts on here about coatings as I am familiar with the search feature. Some questions were answered while some were not completely, hence the new thread on an old topic. I have heard many good things about Swain. Did they coat the mating surfaces? If you have any pics, Mark B, I would like to see them. And 5ltretr, that sucks. Betcha won't go the rattlecan route again.

 

[mark b]

> I have heard many good things about Swain. Did they coat the mating surfaces?

I do not believe they do because of the nature of their coating. I think the flanges were coated with some type of "base coat" that they use, but this could have just been part of the process. It certainly did not have any "thickness" to it.

If you use ATR headers you should probably get the copper gaskets to seal to the heads and also the triangular one to seal to the turbo. Supposedly once you use them they will conform the headers to the head and then you have to keep using them, but I found they provided a much better seal.

Swain has some stuff on their web site but the pictures there don't do the coatings justice. I should have shot a few pics of them before I put them on but did not :-(

http://www.swaintech.com/

Look at this page - there is a picture in the lower corner with some pistons and a header...

http://www.swaintech.com/race.html

 

[Chris Cornett]

Jet hot is awesome. It will greatly reduce the underhood temps as well. Plus they give a lifetime guarentee. You can touch the headers after only a few minutes of cool down time.

 

[Brian Mc]

www.thermaltechcoatings.com

Excellent, 2000 degree, Have had it on the car for a year, looks great, reduced heat. I cut all the heat shields off also for a cleaner look.

 

[mark b]

They use Cermakrome...... did you do both the inside and outside? That's what they usually call "2000 degree".

Jet-Hot has a different product for 2000 degrees. That's why it's not available in high-luster silver but rather flat black, blue, etc.

The Swain stuff will take a nuclear hit....