Chrome side pipes

Shaun · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 11:13 AM

Other than JET HOT (heard alot of bad stories), who can chrome plate (triple plate if possible) Cobra pipes and headers??

Thanks

Shaun

excelguru · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 11:23 AM

There's a company way down here in Georgia that does such stuff. The name is Performance Coatings. You can contact them at 770-478-2775. I will use them to ceramic coat my pipes. I think they do chrome plating also, but I'm not absolutely sure. I've heard some pretty good things about them, myself. You may be looking for someone closer to MD, though.

Keith

Mr.Fixit · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 11:27 AM

Chrome turns yellow and blue on sidepipes. It rusts faster thasn ceramic coating. It also makes very visable any imperfections on the pipes, wavyness and such. It makes most sidepipes louder as well, any sound absorbtive packing is destroyed in the process. The negatives about "Jet Hot" as read here and elsewhere is that one company only, there are alot of others doing metallic-ceramic coatings who do good work.

Whaler · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 11:45 AM

Yes Mr Fixit
It's the applicator, not the apllication that got all the complaints

I swear by ceramic coating. Although I didn't do Jet hot I got a competitors product and its much brighter than Jet hot and can be polished as well

Ceramic has some insulative qualities that chroming does not.

Better money spent IMHO

Tim

K.Wilson · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 01:33 PM

There was a company in Florida that made polished 304 stainless steel side pipes. I don't know if they are still in business, but if you must have the look of chrome it is as close as you can get and still have long term durability.
Keith

Fred Douglass · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 01:36 PM

A wise old racing mechanic told me that ONE benefit that ceramic coating lends the equation comes from the fact that some insulation value is gained. He said it's similar to wrapping the exhaust headers---keeps the ambient heat out of the intakes of carbs or throttle bodies. He also said that it's (of course) less important, once you're outside the engine compartment.Sound right?

Mr.Fixit · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 02:05 PM

Yes Fred, that is correct. Two-fold reason why insulating exhaust heat is good. Number one, the heat is not being donated to the air which the carburator is inhaling. Colder air is denser, thus more to burn. Secondly, keeping the exhaust temp up as it goes through the headers helps keep it's velocity up, thus improving the scavenging abilities of the header collectors. This said, the best reason to get ceramic coating is still aesthetics mostly.

Randy Rosenberg · #8 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 03:10 PM

Hey Shaun,

Though I can't advise as to where to get headers/sidepipes chromed on the East Coast, I can add that my headers are ceramic coated and my sidepipes are chromed.

This solution works for me because:

1. I get all of the benefits of ceramic under the hood.
2. I got the "hot rod" look I wanted with chrome sidepipes.

WRT to maintenance, keeping the sidepipes looking like new take no longer that polishing off the brake dust on my Trigo's. Basically, it just adds an extra 15 to 20 minutes time to the time I spend keeping her "purdy".

Shaun, if you want chrome, then go do it! If you have any questions, then email me...ok?

Have Fun,
Randy R...

Jack21 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 04:03 PM

For exhaust, recommend ceramic aluminum coating over chroming, or stainless.

Done correctly, it looks as good as chrome, and can be polished. It corrosion proofs the exhaust, and keeps the heat inside the exhaust. Keeps underhood, and footbox temp's down.

Shop in Fredricksburg, VA does outstanding work. Will look up phone, but if you're in MD, you could look up in shop & services section of capitalareacobraclub.com.

Howard Bosworth · #10 (**permalink**) 07-30-2002, 10:43 PM

Shell Valley was offering a deal on coating earlier this summer.
You may want to give Rich a call.
Howard

Campy · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 01:56 PM

I have always been partial to chrome plating. I think there is nothing that comes near the eye-catching shine that chrome offers. Yes they will yellow slightly toward the header end, but I have had mine in use for a little over a year now and they still look great. The discoloration is really a "goldish" tint on the four individual pipes before they connect to one. If they get too dark there are products you can purchase that remove some of the discoloration.
Personally, I think the color change gives the side pipes some character. As far as rust, no problem there either. My car is garaged and I keep the pipes waxed and clean.
BTW, my side pipes were chromed before they were shipped to me by Shell Valley.

CobraMan · #12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 08:44 PM

I have stainless. They are about 11 years old and still look great. They have that yellowish tint up front where yours are tinted. I want to remove the yeollow color. What would you recommend?

Campy · #13 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 08:54 PM

CobraMan,
There are many products available. Check with your local motorcycle shop. I use a product called Blue Away made by German Company GHE. Not cheap $13 for 2.5 oz!!!

CobraMan · #14 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 08:59 PM

Just found that before I posted. Never used or heard of it and at that price, I wanted to see if anyone else had used it.

Now I will get it.

Thanks

bmalone · #15 (**permalink**) 07-31-2002, 09:28 PM

Campy, thanks for the info. Going to give the Blue Away a try. Found a place online that sells it.

Shaun · #16 (**permalink**) 08-01-2002, 10:31 AM

Thanks for all your great comments! Talked to Dana at Shell Valley. Seems they are very pleased with their supplier. Probably go with them.
Thanks again.

Shaun