Sidepipes material best choice

BAsque1 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 05:45 AM

I have the original set of sidepipes which came with my Cobra(WCC) upon arrival they were black (I must surmise some kind of high temp paint) sent them to get Jetcoated in North Carolina at the original Jetcoating plant. They did a nice job, however, being a two piece sidepipes there is always a slight leak at the junction together with the slight show of condensation which stains the pipe with black smuge.

Being as anal as I am for the looks of my cars I want to change these pipes for a single unit type side pipe and I have narrowed down to Firefly sidepipes . I must send him mine so that he can build the collector to fit my side oiler header.

The question in my mind now is the finish-Stainless steel or ceramic coated. I know the benefits of ceramic coated when it comes to heat dissipation, but I am not enamored of the stains that result from water etc and must be polished off. The Stainless steel on the other hand is more durable but also gets discolored and maintaining them is not as easy as it sounds. The next choice is chromed, which also discolors and turns into hues of blue and yellow.
Any thoughts are welcome on your experiences with these materials. Black is out of the question so it will not be even considered. I would appreciate your thoughts so that I can reach a more intelligent choice.
Tks
Basque 1(Lou)

Hotfingrs · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 08:27 AM

Polished stainless gets my vote.

Hydramada · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 09:10 AM

Polished looks great until you get them wet while hot. Then you end up with some nasty discoloration that wont go away. In addition, the polished finish needs to be polished regularly in order to keep them from having a bronze look.

Ron uses an aircraft grade ceramic coating that can be polished to a deep luster with a bit of effort and lasts for quite a while. I purchased my ceramic coated pipes from him in January of 2012, polished them up soon after and have not re-visited them so far this year. I imagine I will re-polish them this winter.

Just my two cents worth.......

BAsque1 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 10:03 AM

Thanks guys I was leaning to remain with the ceramic coating too.Getting wet I don't think it will happen, this car does not see road in bad weather LOL. The pesky stains I spoke about the ceramic coating had to do with the spray wax they use at the place I get the car detailed once the season starts but they do a greta job in removing them right away. I love the polished SS but my concern is the color change.
tks again
Lou

FWB · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 11:02 AM

Lou,

i have the two piece header/sidepipes too, i had mine ceramic coated at swains, its a rough sandpaper looking ceramic, it goes on white.

i use black high temp paint on them and when they get soiled or discolored a quick respray makes em' look new again.

i get the carbon too where they join, i use a pipe expander to enlarge and they seal up again......

Don · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 11:38 AM

My pipes were coated by Swain, which is an off-white ceramic coating. Seems the term ceramic has become generic and used by many in describing their coating. Not claiming Swain is better or the best compared to others, but they do provide detail on their process.

White Lightning Exhaust Coatings | Swain Tech Coatings | Industrial Coatings | High Performance Racing Coatings

I then had a black high temp coating baked on by a local business

BAsque1 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2012, 12:22 PM

FWB & Don:
Mine are really jetcoated which is a dullish silver like that on the headers. I really like this but I want to change them for a one piece. Tks for your input guys.