White ceramic coater in NY City or San Fran bay area

767Jockey · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 03:04 PM

I found lots of ceramic coaters, but none who do white in the geographic area I need. I'm trying to avoid the expense and hassle of packing and shipping these big heavy pieces. Does anyone know of anyone who does WHITE ceramic coating for sidepipes and headers in either the NY metro area or the San Jose / San Francisco Bay area?

Burnd · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

I found lots of ceramic coaters, but none who do white in the geographic area I need. I'm trying to avoid the expense and hassle of packing and shipping these big heavy pieces. Does anyone know of anyone who does WHITE ceramic coating for sidepipes and headers in either the NY metro area or the San Jose / San Francisco Bay area?

These guys are outstanding and do nothing BUT "Ceramic" coating (not powder coat or jet hot stuff). The ceramics is so thick and insular, I can put my hands directly on the pipes in less than 3 minutes. All I did was take the pipes to a "package & wrap" shop and let them wrap them up and ship them. It was the path of least resistance, effortless and wasn't expensive. I think headers and sidepipes cost me around $550. I can look it up if your intested. Actually; i did pistons, skirts and manifold too. BTW: they only do the ceramics in White. I recoated them black. It's been 2 years and they are fine and that was easy too. FWIW.

http://www.swaintech.com

Bernie

767Jockey · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:12 PM

Was it $550 to coat, or to ship?

Don · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:23 PM

Agree with Bernie's opinion and comments regarding Swain Technology and their proprietary process. Seems there are many coatings referred to as ceramic, but after reading Swain's narrative on the web site the difference will become apparent.

Swain's coating has the finish of medium to rough sandpaper, i.e. the ceramics. Using the CC search feature,there are previous Threads on the subject.

The local UPS Store fabricated the shipping carton for my side pipes and Swain returned them in the same carton. I sprayed the white, only color available, with VHT black, since my desire was to have a black "ceramic "
coating

Swain refers to their process as " White Lighting Exhaust Coating '

http://www.swaintech.com/store.asp?pid=10969

Burnd · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Was it $550 to coat, or to ship?

$550 for the ceramic coating and I did 3 pieces per side. Header; collectors and sidepipes. Earlier I had done pistons; lubricity coated skirts and TBC coated the manifold but that was a different shipment. I forget what shipping was but it wasn't outrageous. I "think" it was $110. from NJ but i am not sure. I can't find the bill but i found my notes from his original quote on the phone and it says $450 to $500. If you want to call him; ask for Dan Swain and tell him Bernie in NJ with the "race car 427 Cobra" referred you and hopefully he won't raise the price. I busted his balls a bit so I think he'll remember me. Good STUFF though. Good luck with it. (BTW: lol: I did the same thing as Don with the black VHT over coat. That worked great too).

Bernie

767Jockey · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007, 05:56 PM

Thanks, guys. I thought shipping would be a lot more than that. I was even more concerned over how in the world I was actually going to package these darn things. I guess I'll just have to pony up the cash for the shipping store to do it for me. Thanks for the info.
Doug

RICK LAKE · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 06:30 AM

767 Jockey Why not drive there and save your parts from damage. It will not cost you $50.00 each way with gas and you get out of town for a day. Same on the pickup, you would like to checkout before you bring home and say thanks. Rick L.

imagine2frolic · #8 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 08:27 AM

Sanderson Headers in South San Francisco next to the SEE'S CHOCOLATE factory.

RodKnock · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:39 AM

I had a set of custom headers built and coated at Sanderson and they did a great job.

danc30 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 12:47 PM

I agree with Swain Tech. I had it done to mine and love it. Underhood temps are much lower too. This is what I will use on all future projects also. Much better heat control than with "paint based" ceramic that others use.

767Jockey · #11 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 02:50 PM

How durable is the Swain coating? I called them on the phone today, and the guy acted like I was disturbing him and blew me off. I asked if it was a bright white or an off white, and the guy was almost insulted by the question, "If you're only worried about the color, this is the wrong product for you." I was surprised to say the least. Color isn't my only concern, but I never got to ask the other questions I had. He made it clear he wasn't interested in any more questions even though I only asked one! Anyway, if this Swain Tech is the best coating out there I'll use it anyway - how durable is it? Have any of you actually lived with it for a while? How is it to clean, does it chip easily with rocks, tools, etc..? Any info is appreciated. Thanks also for the info on Sanderson - I'll give them a shout as well.

double ugly · #12 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 03:34 PM

I had my ceramic coater blast the sidepipes when I took the header pipes in to get a black ceramic coating then I used Duplicolor ceramic white rattle cans on the sidepipes. I then took them back to the ceramic coater who then baked them for me (free). They turned a mild shade of yellow. I then dusted them with the white and they held up very well. Total cost was less than $100.00.

John

Don · #13 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 08:11 PM

The Threads which contain references to Swain and other vendors etc for additional comments can be viewed by using Swain in the Advance Search Key Word option

I had two different sets of side pipes coated by Swain. The first time I personally delivered/picked up the sidepipes and the second time I had them shipped. From my experience, did not encounter any problems.

As mentioned, I wanted the benefits of the Swain " ceramic " coating , but black and I sprayed over the pearl white with VHT. The surface of the Swain coating is similar to medium to rough sandpaper, which are the molten ceramic particles.

Sal Gerace · #14 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:47 PM

I would check with Billy Andrews at HRE Motorsports in Freeport,NY to see who he sends them to.

Burnd · #15 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

How durable is the Swain coating? I called them on the phone today, and the guy acted like I was disturbing him and blew me off. I asked if it was a bright white or an off white, and the guy was almost insulted by the question, "If you're only worried about the color, this is the wrong product for you." I was surprised to say the least. Color isn't my only concern, but I never got to ask the other questions I had. He made it clear he wasn't interested in any more questions even though I only asked one! Anyway, if this Swain Tech is the best coating out there I'll use it anyway - how durable is it? Have any of you actually lived with it for a while? How is it to clean, does it chip easily with rocks, tools, etc..? Any info is appreciated. Thanks also for the info on Sanderson - I'll give them a shout as well.

Did you ask for Dan Swain? I will place a call to them for you. I don't want to hear that crap when I refer someone to a vender even if they do good work. PM me with your name and phone number and if he doesn't call you to answer questions and apologize; kindly advise me accordingly. I hate that BS and BTW, I didn't experience anything, anywhere close to that kind of service.

From my experience in 2 years and 2600 miles including racing, it's very durable. I have 2 small chips that I touched up with 2 squirts of VHT. The Swain color is not a white/white; it's closer to an egg shell white (DON, confirm that for me). I recoated mine black. Frankly; you can also coat over with a VHT white and make it ANY blend of white you want. It's a textured ceramic so the overcoat adheres easily. Then I top coated with VHT CLEAR COAT for added protection. It took all of 45 minutes for me to do out in the driveway on a Sunny day. Not a big deal.

I am sorry to hear you had an issue. I will get it rectified.

Bernie

Don · #16 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 05:00 PM

Bernie, use of the term egg shell white is appropriate. For those that have not personally seen Swain's coating the color is not a pure white, such as ceiling white.

" Textured " is a good way of describing the finish. Another difference compared to other coatings , Swain does not have a polished/buffed look such as found on stainless steel or aluminum.

I did not have any challenges when dealing with the Swain personnel, either in person or when obtaining by phone the info for packing and shipping the side pipes and dealt both times with the office staff. The turn time estimate was met.

CSX 4027 · #17 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 08:27 PM

Don't knock yourself out.
Just spray the VHT White.
Swain and other coating are OK I'm sure and there is some potential benefit that can be seen in extreme racing conditions, but on the street? Nah.
Also, the Swain white cannot be touched up because their color is not a true white like VHT so, you will be spraying them VHT white anyway.
Save the clams for something else.