Powdercoating, ceramic coating, or hit-temp spray paint? (Page 1/2)
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 07, 11:53 AM
Hey guys, trying to get everything I need for when I start re-installing the exhaust in my daughter's car. Just wanted to ask the question... if I wanted to coat the exhaust manifold and header pipe... at least to get them to the point where they won't rust and will look decent when you open the engine bay... what should I use?

I've had a ceramic coated exhaust Y-Pipe before and it worked out pretty well... lasted over a decade without any cracking or peeling. But I bought it like that from the Fiero store. This is going on my daughter's 4 cyl, and would like to do something similar. Which do you recommend, and is it better for me to just take these parts to a local shop that does these things? What specifically should I be doing... ceramic coating, or powder-coating?

For the rest of the exhaust, I'm going to keep the factory aluminized exhaust (it's in pretty good shape). I thought I might sand it down a little bit, and then hit it with some hi-temp exhaust paint. Would that work? Or is that like painting over cracks in drywall?


Thanks!
Spadesluck JUN 07, 01:05 PM
What is the main goal...rust...heat....looks...? If just for rust purposes, I would just use a high temp paint. Coating would be better, but it is also way more expensive, and I am not sure if it would be worth it on a 4 cyl.
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 07, 01:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Spadesluck:

What is the main goal...rust...heat....looks...? If just for rust purposes, I would just use a high temp paint. Coating would be better, but it is also way more expensive, and I am not sure if it would be worth it on a 4 cyl.




Thanks Spades... I'm restoring a Fiero with my daughter... my guess is she will probably keep this car for a long time, and then when she goes off to college, will probably park it here. Money isn't really the concern unless we're talking INSANE money.


Goal is in this order:

1 - Reduce heat
2 - Prevent rust
3 - Look good


When you say coating, which one? Powdercoating, or ceramic coating? Or is that the same?


Thanks!
Mickey_Moose JUN 07, 01:59 PM
I had my exhaust manifolds ceramic coated (locally) in 2003 and they still look "factory fresh" today. I would not hesitate doing that again
82-T/A [At Work] JUN 07, 02:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mickey_Moose:

I had my exhaust manifolds ceramic coated (locally) in 2003 and they still look "factory fresh" today. I would not hesitate doing that again




Any idea what you paid (Canadian) for that? Thank you!
Vintage-Nut JUN 07, 04:55 PM

quote
by 82-T/A [At Work]
Goal is in this order:
1 - Reduce heat
2 - Prevent rust
3 - Look good



With your goals above and if you have the money, go with a durable high-heat resistant ceramic coating.

You 'can' powder coat an exhaust, however, is not advisable as it won’t last with the high heat.
VS
pmbrunelle JUN 07, 07:00 PM
I believe the stock exhaust is ferritic stainless steel (rusts, but not too badly).

If the car has aluminized mild steel, then that is not the factory exhaust.

I would consider making a 304 stainless exhaust by cutting and welding mandrel bends. Since 304 can be left bare, there is no coating to peel or flake.

Due to the thin metal of exhaust pipes, this is not a good beginner project. However, since the current exhaust is in decent shape, there is no rush to complete the project.

I think that a replacement exhaust project might be good to do, but later, when/if your (collective) fabrication skills improve.

Does your daughter want to get into cutting/welding metal?
theogre JUN 07, 08:12 PM
Yes, OEM exhaust is "low grade" SS that rust some.

You Can't use Powder Paint. Is PLASTIC powder then melded on whatever at 200-500°F but exhaust parts reach 700+°F easily. O2 sensor Doesn't run until sees ~ 600° to start. It will melt the plastic and likely cause big problems or a fire.

Coating Cost by pros like Jet-hot. Consumers can't buy same stuff and often done wrong so coating results are often very poor.

Just get Hi Temp Paint.
If/when need to replace Exhaust Manifold not going to eat money to Jet-hot etc.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

sleek fiero JUN 07, 08:19 PM
82-T/A;
I bet your exhaust is already stainless as that would have been what came on the car. may need some buffing from wear and tear. Mine looked rusty from baked on dirt and grime but is now on my neighbors fiero. sleek
Vintage-Nut JUN 07, 09:41 PM

quote
82-T/A [At Work] - "Which do you recommend, and is it better for me to just take these parts to a local shop that does these things?"


To me, YES. (and 'local' means 'no shipping')


quote
82-T/A [At Work]: Goal is in this order:
1 - Reduce heat



Only ceramic coatings (or DIY wraps) will REDUCE HEAT in the engine bay, but coating by the pros isn't 'cheap' and are known to last longer than powder coats or hi-temp paints. As I said, if you have the money, this is the best option with all of your 'goals'.

When talking about exhaust powder coats, we're talking the higher temperature formula, NOT the 'regular' powder coats. The higher temperature formula claims that they can last around five years and won't lower temps in the engine bay.

Of course, the economical route is hi-temp spray paints which you can DIY easily.