White Sidepipes ???

agro1 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 12:57 PM

Can anyone tell me a bit about the Cobras with white sidepipes ? Historical significance, what they are coated with, pictures, etc...Thanks in advance.

Bud Man · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 04:25 PM

The original Comp cars and S/C's supposedly left SA with black sidepipes.

However, the arguably most famous 3000 series car, CSX 3002, featured white pipes, as did several others, including CSX 3022, the Kimble cutaway car.

Historical significance? I don't know of any. Some others on this forum may.

Bud

Bob Putnam · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 04:40 PM

"Historical significance? I don't know of any. Some others on this forum may."

They probably ran out of black VHT.

Bud Man · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 04:48 PM

Bob:

You makinfuname?

Bud

CSX 4027 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 05:16 PM

It was used as a color accent as well as an advertising push for VHT. They might have given Shelby some ad money. CSX 3002 as well as the Daytona Coupe carried the VHT flame sticker. I used it and found it really easy to touch up when the pipes got dirty. The coated white from Jet Hot doesn't look as good and can't be color matched.

snakeeyes · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 08:23 AM

I use white VHT on my car. It does show dirt easily, stains from mud splatters, and rubber marks from the heels of people's shoes, but as Steve said it is very easy to touch up. I just happen to like the look of the white pipes with my white wheel centers (see my gallery). IEven though there are a few blue Cobras on the road, and there is some historical precedent for the white accents, I almost never run across anyone else with them on their car. It's the only way I can find my car at the annual Texas Cobra Club meet--

agro1 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 08:55 AM

Snakeeyes -

Excuse my ignorance, but what is "VHT" ?? High Temp paint ? I was thinking about having mine ceramic coated white but am worried they will be a shiny white if ceramic coated...and the high temp paint (black) that came on mine is already wearing off and getting rusty after just 2500 miles...That is just around the collector portion of the sidepipe though...Any suggestions ?

Turk · #8 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:11 AM

If you decided to go with white side pipes, VHT (High Temp.Paint) is probably the best way to go.

While ceramic coating may allow for it to be cooler, touch ups becomes an near impossiblity.

Water splashing and bugs hitting the side pipes is a matter of time. Oh yes, you will occasionally brush up against the hot pipes with everything from sneakers to plastic bags and human skin.

VHT sands easy like chauk. You can spray touch up anywhere on the pipe, and within a few hours of driving the stark white paint bakes and discolors and blends in very nicely.

It is good stuff if you go with white as the color for your side pipes. I intend to do it with black VHT for my next car.

They also have red VHT, and yellow!!! hmmmm.....

TURK

computerworks · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by agro1

...Excuse my ignorance, but what is "VHT" ?? High Temp paint ?

VHT Paint Home Page

agro1 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:26 AM

Nice - thanks Ron, thanks Turk...What would happen if you had your pipes ceramic coated and THEN painted them with the VHT ?? Would the paint adhere to the coating or start to chip off...??

Turk · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:31 AM

I believe my pipes from ERA came ceramic coated. I was able to scratch it a little with scotchbrite (maroon) pads and completely had them covered with VHT within the fisrt three months.
From there it was easy. Scotchbrite any stains, and scuff marks and give it a light shot of VHT. It dries real fast and within 3 minutes you can put another coat, and another and it is done. I have done patches as small as 2-3 inches and it blends easily.
You have to try hard to make it run. very easy paint to apply.

TURK

agro1 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:33 AM

Good to know, and it seems like you can save a allot of $$ in the process. Thanks Turk...

snakeeyes · #13 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:40 AM

Sorry agro for my lack of specificity. You can buy VHT at most auto parts stores. They have different "maximum temperature" levels of paint so make sure you buy the "hottest" one, which I think is rated to over 1,000 degrees.

As Turk said, it is simple to touch up small (or big) flaws. Mine tend to rust around the collector area, too, so about once a year I will give the pipes a shot of paint. I give them a quick scuff with a scotchbrite pad, hose them off, let 'em dry (no kidding), then take a couple of sheets of the clear plastic drop cloths you can buy at Home Depot for a couple of bucks and drape them over the sides of the car, tucking them between the bodywork and the sidepipe and then taping them up so they don't touch the pipe. Two or three light coats of paint and they are good to go for another year...

Turk · #14 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:41 AM

Yes you can.
If you decide to go white, don't even bother with the coating proscess at all.

At one point in my ownership, I took the pipes down to bare metal to do a better job. There was nothing left on them. So, if they were indeed coated initially, it was all lost. VHT also makes an equally easy to apply primer.

TURK

agro1 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:46 AM

Good stuff guys...Much appreciated

Snakeeyes - I want your garage -

snakeeyes · #16 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 09:53 AM

You can have it--for a small fee, natch--but can I keep the cars?

John A. Simpson · #17 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 10:28 AM

Snakeeyes

I noticed it looks like you have FIA wheels instead of the usual SC type. Kid you get the wide ones 8" and 10", did you have any fitment problems? What type and size tires do you have?

Thanks John

snakeeyes · #18 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 12:10 PM

John, yes, they are 8's and 10's. They are ERA's "insert" FIA-look wheels. If you are not familiar with those, ERA uses a Centerline wheel with an adaptor that bolts underneath the lugs. The insert fits over the adaptor and is held on by a normal Halibrand-type spinner. It looks like a normal knock-off wheel as the lugs are well hidden by the insert. Painting the "hidden" part of the wheel and the lug nuts flat black helps, too.

I don't know if ERA is still selling these wheels, as I have heard that Centerline no longer produces the style of wheel necessary to hold the insert in. They come up for sale occasionally on this forum, however; I've seen two or three sets in the $1000 range, complete, over the last three years.

As far as fitment, I've had no problems. The front tires are 245's and the rears 295's, I believe. They are Comp T/A's which are unfortunately one of the only choices in the 15" size these days. They provide decent traction for street driving but that's about it. I haven't a clue as to backspacing but ERA can probably provide you with those details if needed--try asking Bob P. on the ERA forum which is part of Club Cobra.

Hope this helps--

Chics LI · #19 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 12:26 PM

Turk,
How do you think VHT would work on headers? Should I have headers ceramic coated and use VHT on sidepipes? Want to use black. My headers are starting to rust a little bit now.

Tom S.

snakeeyes · #20 (**permalink**) 02-26-2003, 12:39 PM

Tom, IMHO headers get so hot that I'd bet the VHT would burn off or discolor. Either that or they would rust rather fast and start looking pretty crappy. You'd probably end up respraying them frequently, which might be a big hassle depending on how your engine compartment is set up. One nice thing about ceramic coating as far as headers is that it seems to reduce heat quite a bit, always a nice thing in the tight confines of a Cobra engine bay--just my 2 cents--